Referee to take charge of first Burnley game against Portsmouth

Burnley will be hoping for a big manager bounce when Fabio Celestini takes charge of his first game against Portsmouth this weekend.

The Swiss coach will be in the dugout when the Clarets return to Turf Moor, where they haven’t won a league game for over a year.

The 50-year-old takes over from Nicky Hayen, who lost his job after just 106 days last week, off the back of the 4-1 defeat to Lincoln City.

Burnley face a Pompey side that are going well under John Mousinho, sitting 11th in the table after losing just one of their last eight games.

Who is the referee for Burnley v Portsmouth?

Ruebyn Ricardo, of Leicester.

He’s overseen eight games so far this season, dishing out 34 yellow cards and just one red.

Five of those eight games have come in the Championship, with the other three coming in the Carabao Cup.

Going back to last season, Ricardo showed 137 yellow cards in 29 games - at an average of 4.7 per game - and five reds.

He started refereeing in 2013 when he broke his wrist in school and his PE teacher suggested that he take charge of some of the school’s football games.

Progressing through PGMO’s development group, Richardo first made his Championship debut during the 2024/25 season, where he was also the first referee of black heritage to officiate the FA Vase final.

What history does he have with Burnley?

None, this will be the first Burnley game he’s taken charge of.

In December 2024, he was fourth official when the Clarets drew 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium.

Who are the other officials?

Craig Taylor and Emily Carney will run the line, while Scott Oldham is fourth official.