UEFA officials are scheduled to announce officials for next week's games, and so far they have backed Webb after an eventful first game when Austria were awarded a last-gasp penalty to earn a point in Vienna.

Despite Mariusz Lewandowski being seen to wrestle with Sebastian Prodl, Webb's decision sparked a furious reaction, starting with Poland coach Leo Beenhakker accusing the Rotherham official of trying to prove he was a "big boy".

Poland's public broadcasters Polskie Radio have quoted president Lech Kaczynski and minister of sport Miroslaw Drzewiecki, both guests at the game, criticising Webb.

Drzewiecki is reported to have said: "It's a disgrace for the championships and the referee is a fraud."

Beenhakker revealed that each country was given a DVD telling them wrestling during set-plays would be targeted but Poland were the first at the tournament to concede a penalty in that way.

"We don't think it is controversial that a player is pulled down by the shirt and a penalty is given," said UEFA director of communications William Gaillard. "It (Webb's decision) was certainly within the laws of the game."

Given that England are not at the tournament, it was seen as an opportunity for Webb's team to stay at the tournament until the latter stages.

Gaillard added: "The referees' committee analyses all the games and makes the appointments according to its own analyses and we don't interfere with the way they are managing officials in this tournament.

"For sure there a better chance to referee the final matches as his national team is not there but that is a statistical chance.

"I wouldn't speculate about the decisions of our referees' committee."

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc felt Webb's background in the Premier League made the decision all the more strange.

"I don't think we deserved that in the last few seconds and I don't think it was a penalty, especially so because it was an English referee," he said.

With qualifying for the quarter-finals now out of Poland's hands, Beenhakker has the task of raising morale.

Southampton forward Marek Saganowski admitted: "It will be very hard to lift morale and confidence after what's happened

"It will be difficult to make the quarter-finals now. We have to play Croatia and they will be high on confidence after beating Germany [2-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals as group winners].

"It should be a good game but a very hard game for us. It is difficult to accept drawing a game this way. The UEFA European Championship is a big moment for the Polish nation and for the players who are here, and it's a pity to finish the game with a penalty so late in the match.

"If Austria had scored in the first half when they had chances, it would have been fair enough, but it is hard to take when they score a goal in the way and at the time they did."

Boruc added: "We can still qualify. It's a very small chance but we still have to believe."

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Webb has been offered police protection after death threats were made on the internet.

"We have been made aware of the threats to Howard Webb in the Polish media," a South Yorkshire police spokesman told the London Evening Standard.

"We have not personally seen the internet threats but if they are genuine we will be investigating them and trying to locate the sites.

"Our boys, I'm sure, will be in touch with Howard. We are ready to do everything necessary to provide security for him and his family."