The English Football Association have made a timely officiating change ahead of the Manchester derby Community Shield clash involving EPL defending champions Manchester City and Manchester United.
With the highly anticipated game set to take place before the season kick-off on Saturday, the tie is expected to serve as the curtain raiser event as it will see the current FA Cup holders Manchester United battle against their Manchester neighbors at Wembley Stadium.
A late change has been made to the refereeing team for the upcoming Wembley match. John Brooks was initially selected to officiate the game but has been forced to withdraw due to a minor injury sustained just days before the match.
In light of this, Jarred Gillett, who was originally assigned as the fourth official, will now take charge of the match. He will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Nick Greenhalgh, with Sam Barrott stepping in as the fourth official. The VAR team will consist of Peter Bankes and Sian Massey-Ellis.
Manchester United have a less than ideal record in matches officiated by Jarred Gillett last season. The Red Devils suffered defeats in three out of the four games he took charge of, with the sole victory coming in a different match.
Gillett was the referee for United’s emphatic 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace, as well as their 4-3 defeat at Chelsea and a 3-1 loss to Brighton.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will be eager to avenge their 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United when the two sides clash in the Community Shield. Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured victory for Erik ten Hag’s side at Wembley Stadium in May.
City are also looking to break a three-game losing streak in the Community Shield, having suffered defeats to Leicester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal in recent years.