Howard Webb

Rotherham referee, Howard Webb, has been promoted to UEFA's Elite list, which is a huge step up the ladder for him, says The Star.

Moving up means he will now be a regular on top-ranked Championship League fixtures that involves clashes between the top European clubs.

Webb, who was the youngest referee to be promoted to the Premiership in 2003, has earned respect of the way he handles games, both on and off the field. His handling of the brawl at the end of the Carling Cup Final last season between Arsenal and Chelsea, is understood to have impressed officials of both FIFA and UEFA, and UEFA use film of the way he handled the situation at refereeing seminars for Europe's top referees.

Webb is currently on duty in Canada at the FIFA World Under 20 Championships where he took charge of the first game. From there he will hot-foot it to Hong Kong for the Asian Cup pre-season tournament, which includes Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham.

The only other English referee to be on UEFA's Elite list is Mike Riley, who also began his refereeing career at Rotherham.

Well Done Howard, from all at Rotherham Vital.