Clattenburg to referee FA Cup final

Mark Clattenburg will referee the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on May 21.
It will be the first FA Cup final Clattenburg has officiated and he will be assisted by John Brooks, Andrew Halliday and fourth official Neil Swarbrick.

Clattenburg, a Premier League referee since 2004, said: “It came out of the blue. These days you get told of what games you’re doing by text, but when you see a call coming in from the FA referees’ department you know it’s important.
“I think every referee who hasn’t refereed the FA Cup final works hard every season to hopefully referee one of the most prestigious and important cup finals in the world.
“You set yourself goals at the start of the season, and mine was to referee in the FA Cup final. It’s an honour and a massive achievement.”

Clattenburg took charge of the 2012 League Cup final between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Wembley, and also refereed the 2012 men’s Olympic Games final and 2013 FA Community Shield at the national stadium.
“It’s probably one of the positives that I have been at Wembley on quite a few occasions,” he added.
“To referee at Wembley for the first time is quite an experience but once you’ve done it a few times you become a little bit more appreciative to try to enjoy the experience.
“I remember watching Manchester United and Crystal Palace and the tradition of these two teams 26 years ago and that famous game – it’s amazing how these games relive.
“Hopefully it will be as good as it was all those years ago.”