Riley the man in the middle when Manchester United face Everton

14 April 2009 12:48
Mike Riley will now officiate Everton's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Sunday. Steve Bennett was initially set to take charge of the Wembley showdown until he was forced to withdraw through illness. Now the Football Association have confirmed that Yorkshireman Riley will referee the tie. Riley has been his usual card-happy self this season, handing out 112 yellows and six reds in 29 games this season. David Moyes has rarely seen eye-to-eye with the official, who upset the Goodison manager way back in 2003 when he awarded a controversial penalty to United in the final game of the season that cost Everton a place in the UEFA Cup. Riley sent off Tim Cahill in the 2-0 derby defeat to Liverpool in September, with his most recent game officiating Everton the win at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

Source: Daily_Mail