Mark Clattenburg has been selected to referee Saturday's Barclays Premier League title showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Clattenburg is considered one of England's top referees but has a history of controversy with both clubs, who sit first and second ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini claimed Clattenburg cost his team victory during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September and the Chilean also criticised decisions made by the same official in his side's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool last season.
Chelsea also have history with Clattenburg, who was falsely accused of racially abusing Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel during a league match with Manchester United in October 2012.
Clattenburg is one of two English officials in UEFA's elite category along with Martin Atkinson.
He was put in charge of last season's Europa League semi-final second leg between Benfica and Juventus and then the Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Seville in August.
Chelsea are five points clear of City, who are looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat after being beaten by Arsenal in the league and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
Source: PA
