By Andrew Warshaw at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London

Mark Clattenburg_August_101August 10 - Britain will at least have some representation at tomorrow's men's football final at Wembley when Mark Clattenburg, chosen by FIFA, referees the climax of the Olympic tournament between Brazil and Mexico.


Clattenburg (pictured) was the only English official on the Olympics panel and will be assisted by Stephen Child and Simon Beck who will run the line.

He has officiated in several high profile Champions League and 2012 European Championship qualifying games but nothing as big as this.

David Elleray, chairman of the Football Association's Referees' Committee, said: "The appointment of Mark Clattenburg to referee the Olympic final with his English assistants Steve Child and Simon Beck is wonderful news and is in keeping with the outstanding achievements of so many people from Great Britain in these Olympics.

"Match officials in all sports make an important contribution to the success of sport and the appointment of the English referee team to the final match should be seen as another 'gold' for Team GB.

Refs at_Italy__V_Croatia_Euro_12_August_10
Mark Clattenburg (left) warms up ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 Group C match between Italy and Croatia 

"This appointment means that English officials have controlled the World Cup final, Champions League final and Olympic final in the space of two years – a remarkable achievement which reflects well on the health of refereeing in this country.

"As with Howard Webb's World Cup final appointment, this will be an inspiration to our young referees and will mean that the 2012 Olympics will have a lasting legacy in refereeing."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]