Burnley face the daunting challenge of taking on title-chasing Manchester City tomorrow night in a game where their relegation could be officially confirmed.
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Opinion: Apathy returns to anger again as feeble Burnley capitulate at Nottingha...](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/opinion-apathy-returns-to-anger-again-as-feeble-burnley-capitulate-at-nottingham-forest-6847979 "Opinion: Apathy returns to anger again as feeble Burnley capitulate at Nottingham Forest")
While it’s only a matter of time until Burnley’s fate is sealed, Wednesday night could be the occasion where the final nail is rammed home.
They take on a City side that will leapfrog title rivals Arsenal into top spot with a victory following their 2-1 win over Mikel Arteta’s men at the Etihad on Sunday.
Who is the referee for Burnley v Man City?
Andy Madley.
He’s officiated 24 games so far this season, dishing out 71 yellow cards – at an average of 2.9 per game – and five reds.
The vast majority of his fixtures have come in the Premier League, although he’s also taken charge of European and international affairs.
Madley awarded a penalty against Burnley during their draw at Liverpool earlier in the season (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)placeholder image
Madley awarded a penalty against Burnley during their draw at Liverpool earlier in the season (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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What history does he have with Burnley?
Madley has refereed just one other Burnley game this season, the 1-1 draw at Liverpool back in January.
He awarded Arne Slot’s side a soft-looking penalty during the game, with Florentino Luis being punished for an apparent trip on Cody Gakpo.
But fortunately for the Clarets, Dominik Szoboszlai could only smash his spot kick against the crossbar.
“I thought it was soft to be honest with you. I did think it was soft,” Burnley boss Scott Parker said about the decision.
“I thought it was soft at the time. Looking back at it, it looked a little bit soft, but obviously the ref gives it on field and at that point it's never going to get turned over.”
Madley also dished out three bookings at Anfield, one for Bashir Humphreys, another for Ashley Barnes and one for Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez.
Prior to this season, Madley was the man in the middle when the Clarets came from behind to win 2-1 at Norwich City last season on their way to automatic promotion.
In fact, he’s something of a good omen for Burnley, having officiated the 4-1 away win at Sheffield United during the Premier League relegation season under Vincent Kompany.
You have to go back to 2020 for the last time he oversaw a Burnley defeat and ironically it came against Manchester City during a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss.
Who is on VAR duty?
Stuart Attwell, assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis.
Attwell was recently involved in a controversy involving Burnley after it was adjudged that he wrongly ruled out Lisandro Martinez’s strike during the 2-2 draw against Manchester United back in January.
Martinez thought he had equalised from a corner, only for Attwell – who was referee that night – to blow for a foul by the scorer on Kyle Walker.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel voted 3-2 that it was not a foul and it should have been a goal on-field. But it was a 4-1 vote in favour of no VAR intervention.
Steve Meredith and Craig Taylor will run the line, while Adam Herczeg is fourth official.
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