London: The Premier League have replaced self-confessed Leicester City fan Kevin Friend with referee Neil Swarbrick for Tottenham Hotspurs’ clash with Stoke City, following an outcry on social media.
Spurs are second in the table, seven points behind leaders Leicester City ahead of the North London club’s visit to Stoke on Monday.
Leicester will seal their maiden top-flight title if they win three of their next five games, while Spurs are chasing a first league title since 1961.
The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) do not pick Friend, who lives in Leicester, to oversee Foxes’ games, but do not usually consider factors such as a referee officiating a game that could have implications for the club he supports.
While there is no suggestion of any question over the official’s integrity in his impartial position, the PGMOL felt given the circumstances it was sensible to move him to another fixture.
A statement read: “PGMOL has made the decision to change the referee for the match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur as Kevin Friend, initially selected for the game, is from Leicester and has attended matches at Leicester City in a personal capacity.
“Given the timing and context of this match, it was felt unnecessary to add extra scrutiny on the refereeing appointment.
“Neil Swarbrick will referee the match and Friend will referee Newcastle United v Manchester City.”
—Agencies
