ENGLISH referee Howard Webb was at the centre of controversy as champions Italy crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage.

However, Italy coach Marcello Lippi, the man who led the Azzurri to their fourth World Cup triumph in Germany four years ago, said their premature exit this time was all his own fault.

The Azzurri, who could only draw with Paraguay and minnows New Zealand in their opening two games, for once did not overcome a slow start to the competition as they lost 3-2 in a thriller against Slovakia yesterday to end bottom of Group ‘F’.

However, the Italians – who would have gone through with a draw – had two goals disallowed and another effort cleared off the line, with TV replays inconclusive as to whether the ball had crossed the whitewash.

There were also claims Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha should have been sent off for lashing out at Fabio Quagliarella in a melée as both players went to retrieve the ball from the net after Italy’s first goal. Mucha, who was yellow-carded, had earlier escaped a booking for timewasting – feigning injury – when his side were 1-0 ahead.

Nevertheless, 62-year-old Lippi, who was always going to stand down after the finals, to be succeeded by Cesare Prandelli, said: “I take all responsibility.

“If a team turns up with terror in their heart and legs, and is unable to express its ability, it’s because the coach didn’t train them as he should.”

First-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who was out injured yesterday, added: “If we can’t beat at least one of them (New Zealand and Slovakia) it’s only fair we go home.”

Italy only came to life in the last quarter as Andrea Pirlo, a star man in 2006, and Quagliarella made a difference off the bench. Playmaker Pirlo had missed the opening two games due to a calf injury.

But by then Robert Vittek had scored twice in either half to put Slovakia clear – Italy’s Vincenzo Iaquinta having had an opener disallowed for a foul.

Antonio Di Natale pulled one back with nine minutes to go and, amid late pressure, Quagliarella, who had earlier been denied by a goalline clearance by Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, thought he had equalised only for English linesman Darren Cann to raise his flag for offside.

Kamil Kopunek made it 3-1 on the counter, before Italy again revived hope with Quagliarella’s superb chip in stoppage time. Those hopes vanished, though, when Simone Pepe scuffed wide a last-gasp chance.

It was therefore the first time that both finalists from the previous World Cup had exited at the group stage, France having already gone home.