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Chelsea take on Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night
UEFA have appointed an all-French officiating team for Chelsea’s Europa Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers. Willy Delajod will referee the contest at Stamford Bridge as the Blues take on an Irish side for the first time in a competitive match.
Both sides are undefeated in the competition so far with Chelsea winning all five of their games. They have scored 21 goals along the way and conceded just four times. Shamrock Rovers, who are based in Dublin, have won three and drawn two of their games to sit sixth. They are seeking a top-eight spot but are already guaranteed a play-off place as they became the first team from Ireland to be involved in European competition past Christmas. Their manager Stephen Bradley has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Millwall in recent days.
Delajod will be assisted by linesmen Erwan Finjean and Philippe Jeanne with Thomas Leonard named as the fourth official. Bastien Dechepy is the VAR with Jérémie Pignard his assistant. It is the second European game Delajod will officiate this season, having already travelled to London earlier this year.
He took charge of Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 Europa League win over Qarabag FK back in September. The Frenchman had his hands full during the contest as he sent Spurs defender Radu Dragusin off after just seven minutes as the Tottenham man was ruled to have stopped a goal-scoring opportunity. He also awarded the away side a penalty in North London but Toral Bayramov’s effort from 12 yards hit the crossbar as the Azerbaijan Premier League champions were unable to make their man advantage count. Delajod has taken charge of nine Ligue 1 games this season. On average he has awarded 22.56 fouls and given out 4.11 yellow cards per 90 minutes. He has shown three red cards this season across all competitions and has twice been appointed to take charge of international fixtures.
Thursday’s fixture is Chelsea's final league phase game of the competition before their attention turns to the busy Premier League festive schedule. Manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of facing Rovers: “We are going to try and approach always in the same way. Today in football it is difficult to find a team with no strengths. I watched four or five games, they are a good team with some good players, but I am quite convinced that all the games are difficult. For sure, it will be another one where we try and win the game.”
He also provided an update on Mykhailo Mudryk after it emerged on Tuesday the player had failed a drug test. Maresca said: "The situation is a bit more clear in terms of we have a statement from the club. The club has already said what needs to be said so there is nothing to add. The club, the coaching staff and all of the people that are inside the training ground - we support and we trust Mykhailo. It's not the first time that something like this has happened. It has already happened in the past. I think they know exactly what they have to do and this is the reason that we trust and support Mykhailo."
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