Soccer: Man in the middle of controversy

Jorge Larrionda, the Uruguay referee who will control the World Cup playoff, is regarded as one of the world's best - but his rise has not been without controversy.

The 41-year-old was to officiate at the 2002 World Cup. Two days after his appointment, his ticket to Japan/South Korea was pulled after the Uruguay association suspended him for six months for unspecified "irregularities", reportedly following accusations of corruption.

Four years later he was rated highly enough to control the semifinal between Portugal and France in Germany, but earlier in the tournament was the centre of controversy when he sent off three players in the match between the US and Italy.

At this year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, he booked four players in the game between the US and Spain. He red-carded American Michael Bradley who confronted him at the end of the match, won 2-0 by the US. Bradley copped an extra three-match suspension for his outburst.

Larrionda will have two Uruguayan assistants at Westpac Stadium and another as the fourth official. He is in line to referee at next year's World Cup.