Norfolk man has no regrets over 2010 final

Darren Cann insists the fractious nature of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa has not soured his memories of officiating in the biggest game of his life.

The abilities of Cann, his fellow assistant Mike Mullarkey and referee Howard Webb were put to the test as the final between Spain and Holland threatened to boil over.

Cann admits it was a difficult match to manage but looks back on the day with 'complete fondness'.

'It was a tough match,' said Cann, who had also officiated in the Champions League final 50 days earlier between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu. 'It was really hard work – there were lots of yellow cards and the red card issue of course.

'But my overriding memories are of complete fondness. When we were told on July 8 it was six minutes past six and I will never forget it. It was the Thursday before Sunday's final and when we were named my life probably changed forever really.

'Our abiding memory of the final was the moment just before the game, waiting to come out. We could just see the pitch from the tunnel and we touched the trophy before we came out.

'To think we were going to go out in the ultimate game – that memory will stay with me forever.'

It is a memory Cann and Co. will be looking to repeat in Brazil.