Match Officials: Adam Herczeg to referee Manchester City vs Exeter City | OneFootball

The Football Association have confirmed their list of match officials to manage proceedings in Manchester City’s first FA Cup encounter of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to strengthen their hopes of claiming silverware this season, whilst also ending a run of three matches without a win – all of which have come since the turn of the year and in the Premier League.

A 0-0 draw at Sunderland was followed up by a 1-1 home tie with Chelsea courtesy of a 90th minute equaliser from Enzo Fernandez, before a Kaoru Mitoma strike for Brighton rescued the same scoreline in City’s most-recent encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

The return of the FA Cup will give Manchester City a much-needed mental break from the relentless nature of the Premier League schedule, and offer the perfect opportunity to restore some sort of confidence – particularly in front of goal.

The clash with Exeter City is also the first of two consecutive cup matches for Guardiola and his players, as they then travel up to the North-East on Tuesday night for a Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg meeting with Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

But before then, and ahead of the meeting between Manchester City and Exeter City, the Football Association have now announced the list of match officials to oversee proceedings at the Etihad Stadium!

Match Referee

The Football Association have appointed English Football League referee Adam Herczeg into the role of on-field match referee at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City’s opening FA Cup encounter of the campaign.

Herczeg has officiated a total of 16 matches across competitions so far this season, with those outings coming across the EFL Championship, League Two, and the Carabao Cup; issuing 65 yellow cards, two red cards, and awarding two penalty kicks in the process.

Saturday afternoon will also mark Adam Herczeg’s first-ever match involving Manchester City, having only previously officiated the Etihad Stadium club through their Under-21 and Under-18 sides in Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup competition respectively.

Assistant Referees

Accompanying Adam Herczeg at the Etihad Stadium this weekend will be an assistant referee pairing of Callum Gough and Conor Brown, the Football Association have confirmed ahead of the fixture.

Video Assistant Referees

VAR will not be in operation for Manchester City against Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Football Association have already decided that VAR will not function in any game in Round Three and Four, but all matches will have VAR from the fifth round onwards – regardless of where the game is being played.

Fourth Official

Standing between the two dugouts this weekend and overseeing the actions of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Exeter City’s Gary Caldwell will be referee Sam Mulhall – appointed into the role of fourth official.