Craig Pawson will reportedly referee the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool on May 14. The 43-year-old official has already been informed and it’s likely that his selection for the game will be announced later on Thursday.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Pawson will take charge of the second meeting between the two clubs in a cup final this season, they met in the Carabao Cup’s showpiece in February with Liverpool triumphing on penalties after an entertaining goalless draw.
The Yorkshireman is one of ten FIFA-ranked referees in the select group one list in the top flight, that makes him the most senior of the Premier League’s officials not to have refereed an FA Cup final. Being awarded English football’s showpiece event is generally regarded as the peak of a referee’s career; however, Howard Webb and Mark Clatenburg also went on to officiate in Champions League, European Championship and World Cup finals.
