The Football Association has confirmed Mark Clattenburg will officiate this season’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Crystal Palace will face Manchester United in a repeat of the 1990 final on 21 May, with Clattenburg joined by assistants John Brooks and Andrew Halliday, fourth official Neil Swarbrick and reserve assistant referee Michael Salisbury.
“It came out of the blue. These days you get told of what games you’re doing by text, but when you see a call coming in from The FA referees’ department you know it’s important,” he told the Football Association’s official website.
“I think every referee who hasn’t refereed the Cup final works hard every season to hopefully referee one of the most prestigious and important cup finals in the world.
“You set yourself goals at the start of the season, and mine was to referee in The FA Cup final. It’s an honour and a massive achievement.”
Clattenburg took charge of Atlético Madrid’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
“I remember watching Manchester United and Crystal Palace and the tradition of these two teams 26 years ago and that famous game - it’s amazing how these games relive,” he added. “Hopefully it will be as good as it was all those years ago.”
