Mason to take charge of derby day (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Mason to take charge of derby day

9:03am Friday 30th November 2012 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

EXPERIENCED officials have been appointed to take charge of Sunday’s derby match between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers.

Premier League referee Lee Mason has been chosen to officiate the game.

Mason gained praise for his handling of the Capital One Cup tie between Chelsea and Manchester United, only three days after the controversy of the Premier League game between the two clubs when official Mark Clattenburg had been accused of racism.

Mason took charge of Rovers’ defeat at Chelsea on the final day of last season as well as their home losses to Stoke and Everton. He was referee for Burnley’s 2-0 loss at Barnsley last term, and previously took charge of two Turf Moor derbies against Preston.

In 2008 he sent off Preston’s former Rovers defender Callum Davidson, and a year earlier Burnley duo Chris McCann and Joey Gudjonsson were dismissed.

Fourth official will be Mike Dean, who was the referee when Burnley and Rovers last met at Turf Moor and upset Clarets fans by awarding the decisive penalty in the game for a foul on Martin Olsson.

One of the assistants will be Sian Massey.