Jarred Gillett – a man banned from Liverpool matches – has been selected to referee the 2024 Community Shield between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.
The Football Association were forced to replace John Brooks after the referee – initially chosen for the clash – sustained an injury.
The 37-year-old, who worked as a respected referee in the A-League for nine years before making the move to England in 2019, was reportedly required to sign a document confirming the team he supported before his appointment was announced.
The Australian referee made it clear he was a Liverpool fan and the only time he has been allowed onto the Anfield pitch in a professional capacity during a game arrived when a Liverpool Legends side defeated an AC Milan Legends outfit 3-2 in 2019.
That was the last time he was allowed to be part of a Liverpool match, and he has officiated in the Premier League on 37 occasions in 2023-34 without once refereeing a game involving his beloved Reds.
Five years have passed since his Premier League arrival and, while Gillett has been a regular official in the English top-flight, working at Anfield has eluded him and will continue to do so during his career as a referee
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