Football Association chairman David Bernstein has defended referee Howard Webb for failing to take immediate action over Mario Balotelli's violent conduct charge. The Manchester City striker appeared to stamp on Scott Parker's head during Sunday's 3-2 Barclays Premier League win over Tottenham.
City assistant manager David Platt said he felt Webb had seen the incident in real time and, therefore, Balotelli should not have been charged.
Bernstein issued a strong statement on behalf of the man who refereed the last World Cup final.
"He has the utmost respect from within football in England and around the world. That could not have been demonstrated more clearly than in 2010, when he was chosen to referee the UEFA Champions League final and the FIFA World Cup final, and this summer he has been selected for UEFA Euro 2012.
"We all have a duty to respect our referees. To question their integrity or imply anything other than total impartiality is reckless and unfounded.
"It harms the perception and treatment of referees at every level of football, and we must not allow that climate to exist.
"Referees have only one live opportunity to make a judgement call on those instances that they see in a fast-paced game," he added.
"They do not have the benefit of numerous camera angles and replays. They make these decisions with honesty and integrity."
The FA added in their own statement: "The FA is only able to take retrospective action where a match official has indicated that they have not seen an incident.
"Specifically relating to the incident involving Mario Balotelli, Howard Webb did not see the incident but on review confirmed he would have sent the player off if he had seen it at the time.
"On review Webb would not have sent off Joleon Lescott for the incident involving Younes Kaboul.
"The parameters and laws of the game are set by FIFA and not the FA." "Howard Webb is a fantastic referee and a great ambassador for the sport. His ability and integrity are beyond question," Bernstein said.
