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Ex-Fifa official issues verdict as key man set to retire after Aston Villa v Liverpool
Keith Hackett has claimed he has no concerns as Jon Moss is set to referee Aston Villa’s game with Liverpool on Tuesday (10 May) in what may be his final game before retirement.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed it would have been an issue if Aston Villa were fighting for survival alongside Leeds United as Moss is based in west Yorkshire.
The Premier League confirmed last week (3 May) that the 51-year-old will be in charge at Villa Park.
The Telegraph reported last month (28 May) he is set to hang up his whistle at the end of the season and will become the new manager of the select group of referees who are appointed to top-flight matches.
“It’s probably going to be his last game and I suspect that is why he’s got it,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“This would only worry me if Aston Villa were in relegation trouble as Leeds United are. He’s from Leeds.
“The selection of referees in these closing stages of the season take all that into account. For example, Man City look like they are going to win the league so Anthony Taylor should be kept away from their fixtures.
“If Villa were down there you would suspect Moss would not have got this game but you never know with this organisation.
“Moss is going on to be the boss of the Premier League referees, working with Mike Riley.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Liverpool have discovered the ‘new oil’ after a ‘lucrative’ development.