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Michael Oliver to referee FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea

Both clubs allocated more than 28,500 tickets for the final at Wembley

Michael Oliver during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.
Image: Michael Oliver will referee next month's FA Cup final

Michael Oliver had been appointed as referee for the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea on May 19.

The Wembley final will see Oliver officiate his first cup match since the Champions League quarter-final second leg between Real Madrid and Juventus, which ended in controversy.

Oliver awarded Madrid a crucial late penalty, which Cristiano Ronaldo scored to send his side through to the last four, after Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the area.

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon, who was sent off by Oliver for his protests after the awarding of the penalty, claimed the English official has as "bag of rubbish for a heart" in his furious post-match comments.

UEFA gave their backing to Oliver, who returned to domestic action earlier this month - refereeing Huddersfield's 1-0 win over Watford as well as West Ham's 1-1 draw with Stoke.

The FA confirmed on Tuesday that Oliver has been appointed as referee next month's final, and that he will be assisted by linesmen Lee Betts and Ian Hussin and fourth official Lee Mason.

 during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain.
Image: Oliver controversially sent off Gianluigi Buffon in the Champions League earlier this month

"I was very proud and humbled to receive the phone call. When you start out, taking charge of the (FA) Cup final is not something you even think about," Oliver said on the FA's website.

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"As your career progresses it becomes a realistic target, but it's not a call you ever expect to take, but it is a great one. This opportunity only comes around once in a referee's career."

Chelsea will be housed in the England dressing room for the final, while Manchester United will be in the traditional away dressing room.

Chelsea finished the Premier League season in fifth place
Image: Chelsea will be house in the home dressing room at Wembley

Meanwhile, both clubs will have over 28,500 tickets for the final, with the FA insisting 80 per cent of the seats at Wembley will go to supporters of the two competing sides.

The remaining 20 per cent of tickets will go to members of the 'FA family', which includes volunteers from County FAs and other members of football's grassroots.

The FA has faced criticism from supporters groups for price increases which mean Category A tickets will cost £145 - £30 more than last year.

Category B tickets have also gone up by £30 to £115, though the cheapest tickets staying the same at £45.

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