UEFA appoints referee for Real Madrid and Manchester United Super Cup final
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that Italian Gianluca Rocchi as the referee of the 2017 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Manchester United.
The 43-year-old Rocchi has been an international referee since 2008 and is set to take charge of his 73rd UEFA match, which will be held in Skopje, Macedonia, on 8 August, UEFA announced on its website.
The Italian referee has officiated some of the Champions League games last season, which include including the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals second leg between Leicester City and Atletico Madrid, and the second leg in the round of 16 between Monaco and Manchester City.
He also took charge of a game in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals the first leg between Ajax and Lyon and was the fourth official at May’s UEFA Europa League final in Stockholm.
Although he had some controversial moments especially in the Champions League last 16 in 2012 when Rocchi refereed the game between Real Madrid and Manchester City 1-1, he awarded City a controversial penalty, gave a red card to Alvaro Arbeloa, and sent City assistant manager David Platt to the stands.
The game between Real Madrid versus Manchester United will see Jose Mourinho will face his former club which he managed during the 2010-2013 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be doubtful for the game due to extended break for his participation in the Confederation Cup tournament in Russia.
