The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
The Final
Chelsea v Manchester United
3pm, Saturday 19 May 2007
Wembley Stadium

The FA can announce that Steve Bennett has been appointed as the match referee for the 2007 FA Cup Final.

Bennett will take charge of the game between Manchester United and Chelsea at the new Wembley Stadium on Saturday 19 May.

The Kent official has been a referee since 1984 and has previously officiated at The FA Cup Final as linesman (1995) and fourth official (2001).

Assistant referees for this season's Final will be Peter Kirkup (Northamptonshire) and Dave Bryan (Lincolnshire). The fourth official will be Howard Webb (Sheffield & Hallamshire).

Bennett progressed through the refereeing ranks via the Winstonlead Kent League, Isthmian League and GM Vauxhall Conference becoming a Football League linesman in 1992 and referee in 1995. He was appointed as a Premier League referee in 1999 and joined the FIFA list in 2001.

Other highlights of his career have included the 2003 FA Community Shield, 2003 Football League Play-Off Final and 2005 Carling Cup Final.

His career has also featured refereeing the 2002 Intertoto Cup Final as well as the 2006 international between Brazil and Argentina. In addition, he acted as fourth official at the 2005 UEFA Cup Final.