The FA make official decision ahead of Leeds United v Millwall
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The FA has confirmed the appointment of officials who will oversee this weekend's cup clash between Millwall and Leeds United at Elland Road.
The meeting of the two Championship sides looks to be one of the fourth round's most enticing clashes with the match given an earlier kick-off time of 12:30 pm on Saturday. The winner will book a place in the fifth round with no replays after the first round this season.
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Hide AdGavin Ward will referee the fixture at Elland Road. The 54-year-old's last appointment involved Millwall with the official in charge of the Lions' 1-0 win at Kenilworth Road.
Alex Neil's side won that match but there was controversy with Ward awarding Millwall a penalty after just 33 minutes when Aaron Connolly had been tripped by Marvelous Nakamba. The Hatters claimed that the ball had gone out of play in the run up to that challenge.
Connolly took the penalty but saw it saved by Luton Town goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski. It took a second half Mihailo Ivanovic strike to secure the three points.
Referee confirmed for Leeds United v Millwall
Referee Ward has overseen a total of 222 matches during his career, 195 of those coming in the Championship. He's taken charge over 17 Millwall fixtures, showing 38 yellow cards and one red card in those fixtures.
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Hide AdDanny Shittu was the Millwall man to be shown red by Ward in a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in 2013. Shittu gave away a late penalty to allow Rovers to take all three points and was shown two yellow cards for his protestations, at the time of the foul and at full-time.
Speaking after the game, then Millwall boss Kenny Jackett said: "That decision has cost us. I've just seen it again and it looked like a soft decision, in my opinion the referee got it wrong, it didn't look like there was any contact.
"I was looking for the refereeing team to make the right call as it looked soft at the time, and having seen it again it was.
"Danny's very upset, but I have to back my player. He's a passionate man and he felt very passionately that there was no contact. Unfortunately, it was a second yellow which we cannot appeal."
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Hide AdWard's last match as a referee for a Leeds United fixture came in September, when Daniel Farke's men beat Coventry City 3-0. The official's most head turning match this season came in Sheffield United's 1-0 win over Sunderland, where he gave six yellow cards, two red cards and a penalty.
Ward will be joined by assistant referees Daniel Leach and Alistair Nelson. The fourth official at Elland Road will be Tony Harrington.
Is there VAR in the FA Cup this weekend?
There will be no VAR in the fourth road matches but the system will be implemented in all fixtures from the fifth round. An FA statement explained: "Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards.
"It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.
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Hide Ad"VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation. This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition."
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