West Ham United v Chelsea
Premier League, London Stadium, Sunday 20 August, 4.30pm BST
Referee: John Brooks
Assistants: Lee Betts & Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger
John Brooks has been confirmed as the referee for West Ham United’s home match with Chelsea this weekend.
The Leicestershire-born official will be the man in the middle for the Irons’ first home fixture of the 2023/24 season, as David Moyes’ men welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side to London Stadium on Sunday.
Brooks was promoted to the Select Group 1 of referees in June 2021 and took charge of his first Premier League match in December of the same year. He took charge of Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win against Sheffield United on Saturday at Bramall Lane.
Brooks officiated 19 Premier League matches last season, although only one of these included West Ham United. He was the referee for the Irons’ defeat at Manchester City in May.
Assistant referee Lee Betts ran the line for four West Ham matches in the Premier League last season, providing his services for the away fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Brentford, and the Irons’ home clash with Arsenal in April.
Fellow assistant Akil Howdon, meanwhile, was promoted to Select Group 1 earlier this year and is the first person of black, Asian or mixed heritage to be a permanent official in the English top-flight in 15 years.
The 32-year-old will link up again with referee Brooks at London Stadium, having worked with the match official at Bramall Lane this past weekend.
Fourth official Craig Pawson was the man in the middle for the first Premier League match of the 2023/24 campaign, as reigning champions Manchester City beat Burnley 3-0. The 44-year-old also took charge of the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea at London Stadium last season.
Video Assistant Referee responsibilities will be overseen by Paul Tierney. The 42-year-old was the match official in charge of 30 Premier League matches last season.
