Why Leeds vs Crystal Palace has been selected for Premier League first as announcement made
Leeds United and Crystal Palace will be at the centre of a Premier League first this weekend.
That is after it was announced on Monday that Adam Herczeg has been appointed referee for Sunday's contest at Elland Road.
Herczeg has been fast-tracked to the top, with this his first top-level fixture at the age of just 33.
He has been refereeing since the age of 15 and has a number of Championship games under his belt.
This will be his biggest match yet, though, with Howard Webb eager to get some new blood into the Premier League.
But what is the reasoning behind Herczeg being handed this fixture?
Keith Hackett explains referee appointment process
Keith Hackett knows better than most how this process works, having spent time in charge of PGMOL in the past.
He also refereed hundreds of matches at various levels, including the early days of the Premier League.
Leeds' clash with Palace is fairly low-key on the face of it, with the sides not exactly rivals and the game certainly not being a derby.
Asked if that explains why Herczeg has been given this match out of all 10 over the weekend, Hackett exclusively told MOT Leeds News: "The selection of a referee to a Premier League fixture is done with care.
"The merger of SG1 (Premier League) and SG2 (Championship) took place in the off-season, opening up the opportunity for the introduction of refs from the Championship officiate in the Premier League.
"Adam Herczeg has had a good start to the season and deserves this opportunity. I do hope that he has a good game."
What is Adam Herczeg's refereeing record like?
Herczeg has overseen four Championship matches so far this season and two in the Carabao Cup.
That includes Tottenham's 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic, so he has refereed at a Premier League ground this term.
The 33-year-old has dished out 14 yellows across those four Championship fixtures (3.5 per game) and six in the two cup games (three per game).
He has yet to send anyone off, though he did reach into his back pocket twice in 23 Championship games last season.
Hopefully he is not at the centre of any sort of controversy like many of his colleagues of late in what should be a good game.