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Leicester City handed referee for Chelsea clash who left Steve Cooper ‘frustrated’ after VAR controversy

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Leicester City return to Premier League action against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon.

The Foxes go into the game on a poor run of form that most recently saw them bested by Manchester United.

Leicester City are sat 15th in the Premier League table going into the weekend with just 10 points from their opening 11 league games.

While 15th is not, on paper, a terrible position, the Midlands outfit could slip into the relegation zone if they lose against Chelsea and Crystal Palace win.

The clash with the Blues will be the first time former manager Enzo Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium following his summer exit.

Maresca has Chelsea playing some exciting football, with the west Londoners currently third in the top flight going into Saturday.

Southampton FC v Everton FC - Premier League
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Match officials for Leicester City vs Chelsea revealed

Ahead of the weekend, the Premier League have now revealed who will officiate the meeting between Leicester and Chelsea, as per their official website.

Andy Madley will referee the game with Nick Hopton and Mark Scholes acting as his assistants on the day.

Leigh Doughty will be the fourth official, while Paul Tierney is on VAR and Dan Cook is his assistant.

Steve Cooper is unlikely to be too pleased to see Madley back officiating a Leicester fixture after what happened versus Crystal Palace back in September.

As per the Mirror, Cooper admitted his frustration after Madley awarded Jean-Philippe Mateta a goal on VAR that was initially ruled out on the field.

Speaking after the match, the Leicester boss said: “It feels like a loss. We looked a real Premier League team in the first half.

“We’ve had a perfect start to the second half and then not so perfect straight after it. We’re really frustrated [with the goal]. There was a real momentum change.”

Chelsea FC v Leicester City - Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
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Andy Madley record with Leicester City

All told, Andy Madley has taken charge of 18 Leicester games when acting as a referee.

In said matches, he has brandished 16 yellow cards, shown one red card and awarded one penalty kick against the Foxes.

That red card came earlier this year when Callum Doyle was shown a straight red in the quarter-final of the FA Cup against Chelsea.

Given Leicester are in desperate need of three points, Cooper will no doubt be eager for the referee to keep his cards in his pocket on Saturday.