West Ham United's opening game of the Premier League season will be officiated by Martin Atkinson.
David Moyes' side travel to Newcastle this weekend for the first match of the 2021/22 campaign.And it has been confirmed that 50-year-old Atkinson, one of PGMOL's most experienced referees having been working in the top flight since 2005, will be the man in the middle.
Embed from Getty Images
Atkinson will take charge of Sunday's 2pm kick off
Atkinson will take charge of Sunday's 2pm kick off
Atkinson, who has been a match official since the age of 16 took control of 26 Premier League fixtures last season, during which he issued 62 yellow cards - at 2.38 per match - and two red cards.
Only Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor (28 each) oversaw more matches than Atkinson.
He took control of three West Ham matches, including the final game of the season - the 3-0 defeat of Southampton at the London Olympic Stadium.
Additionally he was in charge of West Ham's 1-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 14 March and the 1-0 win at relegated Sheffield United on 22 November.
Atkinson will be joined by assistants Lee Betts and James Mainwaring. The fourth official is David Coote while Peter Bankes, assisted by Neil Davies will be in charge of VAR.
* Share your thoughts on this weekend's opening game of the season in the KUMB Forum's Newcastle Utd v West Ham Utd match thread.
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
