The 2021 Emirates FA Cup Final will be refereed by Michael Oliver and his team, while Sian Massey-Ellis will become the first female official to be involved in the competition’s Final.
Chelsea face Leicester City at Wembley on Saturday 15 May, when the teams will be led out by OIiver and his assistant referees Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett.
It’s the second time that the trio will oversee an Emirates FA Cup Final, following Oliver’s appointment for the 2018 Final when Chelsea beat Manchester United, while Burt officiated in the 2012 edition and Bennett was involved two years later.
The fourth official at Wembley this year will be Stuart Attwell* with Dan Cook named as reserve assistant referee.
And our video assistant referee (VAR) will be Chris Kavanagh, with Massey-Ellis making history alongside him following her appointment as assistant VAR.
"We unanimously agreed that Michael Oliver should referee the 2021 Emirates FA Cup Final, assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett who work regularly with him in the Premier League and internationally,” said David Elleray, chair of our Referees’ Committee.
"We’ve appointed a very experienced and strong team and Michael, Stuart and Simon have the rare honour in modern times of officiating in a second FA Cup Final - an honour which they richly deserve.
"We’re delighted that Sian is again making history by being the first female match official to be involved in an FA Cup Final, when she assists Chris Kavanagh in the video operation room – another important step for English refereeing.
"It promises to be an entertaining match and this will play to Michael’s strength, as he likes to remain in the background as much as possible and allow the game to flow as he believes that the game is about the players, not the referee.
"We wish all the match officials a wonderful match.”
Emirates FA Cup Final match officials
Referee: Michael Oliver (Durham FA)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Burt (Northamptonshire FA) and Simon Bennett (Staffordshire FA)
Fourth Official: Stuart Attwell (Birmingham FA)*
Reserve Assistant Referee: Dan Cook (Hampshire FA)
Video Assistant Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Manchester FA)
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis (Birmingham FA)
* Replaces Paul Tierney (Lancashire FC), who has withdrawn through injury.
