One of today’s two linesmen, Peter Kirkup, has had to be replaced for today’s final after waking up with a stye in his eye. This affected his vision and he was replaced by a Premier League Select Group Assistant Referee, Ceri Richards. The match referee was already a replacement after the powers-that-be decided original choice Mike Read lived too close to Anfield for comfort. Although they expected him to be impartial, they were worried about comments that might be made and so in stepped Alan Wiley.
Referee: Alan Wiley
Assistants: Ceri Richards and Darren Cann
Fourth Official: Phil Dowd