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With only three days to the Community Shield, the FA have appointed a referee who has overseen three Manchester United losses in four previous matches
The English Football Association (FA) has had to make a last-minute adjustment to the officiating team for the upcoming season-heralding Community Shield match between Manchester City and Manchester United.
FA Change Community Shield referee
Originally, John Brooks was set to referee the game at Wembley, but he has withdrawn after sustaining a minor injury. To cover his absence, the FA has elevated Jarred Gillett, who was initially assigned as the fourth official, to lead the officiating team for the match.
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Gillett, who is a native Australian, became the Premier League’s first foreign referee in 2021 and will now officiate the Manchester derby during the Community Shield. He will be joined by assistant referees Adrian Holmes and Nick Greenhalgh, with Sam Barrott stepping into the fourth official role. Peter Bankes will oversee VAR, supported by Sian Massey-Ellis.
Supporters of Manchester United may recall that under Gillett's tenure, the squad had some difficult outcomes in a number of their games the previous season.
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He oversaw three losses in the four Manchester United games that he has overseen, including crushing losses to Brighton, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace. In another VAR call against Arsenal, Alejandro Garnacho's late strike was disallowed by Gillett, giving the Gunners a 3-1 victory.
Manchester derby set to light up community shield
As the new season officially kicks off with the Community Shield, both Manchester clubs are eager to start on a high note. Manchester City made history with a fifth consecutive Premier League title and are looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat to United in the FA Cup final last May.
On the other side, Manchester United is focused on building momentum after winning the FA Cup last season, despite a disappointing eighth-place finish in the league.
However, they will be without their new £52 million signing, Leny Yoro, who is out for three months following foot surgery.
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City, meanwhile, is keen to break their streak of three consecutive Community Shield losses, having fallen to Leicester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal in recent seasons.
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