The Football Association have reportedly made a change of referee ahead of the Manchester City and Manchester United Wembley showdown.
The two Manchester clubs are set to face each other in the in the Community Shield, and John Brooks, who was slated to be the central referee has withdrawn from overseeing the match that is set for kickoff on Saturday.
The FA Cup winners vs the top-flight champions have been a customary season-opening match since 1908. But it started out as a professional vs amateur match until taking on its current format in 1930.
This implies that May’s FA Cup final, in which Erik ten Hag’s United stunned Pep Guardiola’s title-winning Manchester City, will be repeated in this year’s clash.
With kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Brooks was chosen to serve as the referee for the event. But he was forced to withdraw due to a minor injury. According to Four Four Two, in his place, Jarred Gillett, who was initially designated as the fourth official, has been appointed.
In other words, Adrian Holmes and Nick Greenhalgh will be manning the lines, and Sam Barrott will take over as manager-wrangler in the dugout.
Tim Robinson and Sian Massey-Ellis will provide support for Peter Bankes as he leads the VAR team.
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The Red Devils have lifted the Community Shield 21 times, more than any other club (albeit it was shared four times, back in the days when a draw generously shared the shield). But United haven’t raised it since 2016.
Although City have won it six times and have never had to share it, they have lost the last three seasons to teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Leicester City.
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