First-ever foreign referee appointed to Premier League match this coming weekend

Jarred Gillett will become the Premier League's first-ever foreign referee on Saturday after being appointed to officiate the match between Watford and Newcastle United.

Australian official Gillett, 34, will be assisted by Lee Betts and Constantine Hatzidakis, while Martin Atkinson will be in the role of fourth official.

Gillett has been eligible to referee in the Premier League since August after he was promoted to the Select Group of officials after becoming a Football League referee in 2019.

He has also previously officiated in the top flight in his native Australia as well as New Zealand, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China.

Since leaving the A-League to join the EFL's refereeing ranks in 2019, Gillett has taken charge of matches in all three divisions below the Premier League as well as the Carabao Cup.

In 32 matches last season, he awarded 10 penalties and sent three players off.

He has taken charge of two Championship matches already this campaign, including Peterborough United's 3-0 home win over Birmingham City at the weekend where he sent off Gary Gardner and awarded the hosts a penalty.

Having begun his career in the A-League in 2010, he took charge of a total of 155 matches in the league including regular season and final matches across nine years.

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He has also officiated a host of international friendlies, World Cup qualifiers and Asian Champions League matches.

In total, Gillett has officiated 262 matches, produced 46 red cards and awarded 99 penalties.

He will hope that the 3pm kick off between Watford and Newcastle on Saturday is not the last match he referees in the Premier League.

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