The EFL announced on Monday that Lee Mason will officiate this season’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
The assistant referees will be Ian Hussin and Harry Lennard, whilst David Coote will operate as the fourth official.
There will be VAR in operation during the final and Mike Dean will be in charge of communicating with Mason in that regard.
Mason was in charge of Manchester City’s away victory over Sheffield United just last month, dishing out seven yellow cards during that encounter.
City overcame rivals Manchester United in the semi-final of the competition while Dean Smith’s men defeated Leicester City over two legs, with Trezeguet netting a dramatic winner at Villa Park.
City won last year’s tournament on penalties against Chelsea, a match famously remembered for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s refusal to be substituted by then-manager Maurizio Sarri.
These City fans took to Twitter to show their frustration at the decision to appoint Mason as the main referee and put Dean in charge of VAR for the match on March 1.
Twitter: Lee Mason referee, Mike Dean on VAR for the cup final.
What could possibly go wrong?(@KippaxBill)
Twitter: @City_Xtra @Carabao_Cup @ManCity Might aswell give villa the trophy. (@AdilSonny)
Twitter: @KippaxBill Lee Mason!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/YEIfldmkDc (@bistoblue)
Twitter: Might aswell just give Villa the trophy now and be done with it
Twitter: @City_Xtra @Carabao_Cup @ManCity They clearly want Villa to win. (@M20Blue)
Twitter: @City_Xtra @Carabao_Cup @ManCity Poorest referee in the premier and arrogant with it (@PeterStanton164)
