Paul Tierney will have the honour of refereeing the 2023 Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.
With Manchester City taking on Manchester United in the Final for the first time, it’s fitting that a Lancashire-based official from Wigan will lead the team of officials to oversee the game.
Joining Tierney on Saturday 3 June will be assistant referees Neil Davies and Scott Ledger, fourth official Peter Bankes and reserve assistant referee Adrian Holmes.
There will be VAR support for this year’s Final from David Coote and assistant VAR Simon Long.
A Premier League referee since 2014, 42-year-old Tierney has previous experience of being involved in an FA Cup Final from when he was an assistant referee for the 2010 Final between Chelsea and Portsmouth.
He's also featured at the national stadium as an assistant referee at the 2009 FA Cup semi-final, a fourth official for the 2014 FA Vase Final and referee for the 2019 EFL Championship play-off final and the 2021 EFL Cup Final.
“Obviously, I was really pleased to get the call on Monday morning, so it was a good start to the week as I was on my way to a training camp at St. George’s Park,” revealed Tierney.
“To referee the FA Cup Final is one of those things that you strive to do and it’s always been one of my targets but it still takes a bit of time to sink in.
"It's a real honour for me and the rest of the team, and we're all thrilled to have been appointed for this game.
“It’s a great fixture to be refereeing too and although there is the common assumption that because I’m from Wigan I must support one of them, I was actually born in Belfast and only moved to Wigan when I was eleven and it’s actually going to be the first time that I’ve refereed a Manchester derby so I’m looking forward to it.
“The first time I was involved at Wembley was as an assistant referee for the 2009 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Chelsea and it’s just the best place to be involved in a football game.
“I’ve since been fortunate to referee there and be involved in more games and it’s something that always sticks with you.
“Obviously, this game is going to top the lot on a personal level, so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully the Final will be a great game.”
Emirates FA Cup Final 2023 match officials
Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire FA)
Assistant Referees: Neil Davies (London FA) and Scott Ledger (Sheffield & Hallamshire FA)
Fourth Official: Peter Bankes (Liverpool FA)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Adrian Holmes (West Riding FA)
Video Assistant Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire FA)
Assistant VAR: Simon Long (Cornwall FA)
