Which English teams do referees support?

LONDON. — With Manchester-based Anthony Taylor the controversial choice for the Liverpool, Man Utd supergame on Monday night, which teams do the Premier League referees support?Taylor’s appointment for the marquee game of this round of Premier League fixtures has raised some angry eyebrows.The official hails from Wythenshawe, in Greater Manchester, which some see as a good reason to keep him away from Liverpool vs Manchester United.

But Taylor is an Altincham fan, so doesn’t fall foul of the Premier League rule of not selecting referees for matches involving their teams, or their closest rivals.

But who do the rest of the elite list support?

Martin Atkinson

From: Bradford

Supports: Leeds United

One of England’s top referees for the last few years, Atkinson was in charge when a Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania had to be abandoned when violence broke out when a drone flew over the pitch bearing a flag of Greater Albania.

Stuart Attwell

From: Nuneaton

Supports: Luton

Attwell is unfortunately remembered all too well for awarding a goal to Reading in a match with Watford in September 2008, when the ball had in fact gone wide of the goal.

Mark Clattenburg

From: Consett, County Durham

Supports: Newcastle United

Tongue-wagging, winking, no-nonsense Clattenburg is top dog of the English refereeing pyramid, have taken charge of the 2016 Champions League and European Championship finals.

Mike Dean

From: Wirral

Supports: Tranmere

Arsenal fans think Dean supports Tottenham, given the little jig he did after Louis Saha scored at the Emirates in 2012, but he is in fact from nowhere near London.

Roger East

From: Wiltshire

Supports: No affiliation, but “occasionally watches Salisbury FC”

A fairly recent addition to the top tier of referees in England.

Kevin Friend

From: Bristol

Supports: Bristol City and Leicester

Friend was prevented from officiating Tottenham’s trip to Stoke at the end of last season because of his soft spot for eventual title-winners Leicester.

Simon Hooper

From: Wiltshire

Supports: Swindon

Once played in Swindon’s academy.

Mike Jones

From: Chester

Supports: Chester

Was in charge when Darren Bent scored a winning goal against Liverpool that deflected off a rogue beach ball. Jones was criticised for allowing the goal to stand.

Robert Madley

From: Wakefield

Supports: Huddersfield

Robert “Bobby” Madley sent three players off in his first ever Premier League game back in April 2013.

Andre Marriner

From: Birmingham

Supports: Aston Villa

Awarded the latest ever penalty in the history of the Premier League when he gave Liverpool spot-kicks in the 97th and 102nd minutes against Arsenal.

Lee Mason

From: Bolton

Supports: Bolton Wanderers

His younger brother Andy played for Bolton