Europa League Final referee: Gianluca Rocchi to officiate Chelsea vs Arsenal

Rocchi (centre-right) is in charge in Baku
EPA
Joe Krishnan29 May 2019

Gianluca Rocchi will take charge of tonight's Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Rocchi, an experienced international referee since 2008, was selected to officiate at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he oversaw three matches.

The Italian will be tasked with keeping affairs in order as the two London clubs prepare for the all-English final in Baku on May 29.

It will be the first time Rocchi has overseen a European final, with his last involvement coming in 2017 when he was the fourth official for Manchester United's Europa League victory over Ajax.

The 45-year-old has also officiated six matches in the Champions League this season, three of which involved English teams.

Rocchi was the man in the middle for Manchester United's quarter-final first leg defeat against Barcelona, as well as refereeing Liverpool's goalless draw with Bayern Munich at Anfield in the last-16 knockout round.

Contrast that to the Europa League, where Rocchi has only been in charge for one game in 2018-19 before the final - the last-16 clash between Zenit St Petersburg and Villarreal.

Rocchi is renowned for his strict style, handing out 125 yellow cards and three red cards in just 24 matches in the current campaign.

Most notably, he has awarded 10 penalties in his 15 games in the Serie A, where VAR has been used for the past two seasons.

Rocchi was in charge for the quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford.
Getty Images

His experience of using the controversial system will be useful as it is brought in for the final for the first time. Massimiliano Irrati will be tasked with reviewing decisions.

Rocchi said of the final: "It's a fantastic appointment for me – it's a London derby, so it's a special match.

"I want to make the best of this match. In the line-up before the kick-off, I'll probably look at the teams, the coaches, the crowd, my referee team-mates, and really fully understand the importance of the occasion."

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