Delovski to ref Red Devils

"It’s a fantastic honour to be appointed to referee a fixture involving one of the biggest football clubs in the world," said Delovski.

"It’s also a big test for me knowing that the AFC referee assessors will be in attendance. My goal is to be appointed to the AFC Elite Referee Panel and officiate more international matches and a good performance in this match will go a long way towards reaching that goal.

"Australian referees are very well respected in the Asian region, and around the world, and I’m excited and proud to be part of that group," concluded Delovski.

The appointment is another highlight in the referee career of Wollongong-based Delovski.

Having started his career as a 15-year old, Delovski moved through the Illawarra local league then to the NSW State league ranks before being appointed to the A-League referee panel in 2005.  Delovski received his FIFA Referee badge in January 2009 and his first major international appointment was the first leg of the 2009 OFC Champions League Final between Auckland City (New Zealand) and Koloale (Solomon Islands ) in April.

Earlier this year, Delovski also refereed the A-League Preliminary Final between Adelaide United and Queensland Roar (now known as Brisbane Roar) at Hindmarsh Stadium.

This appointment caps off a successful month for Australian referees with Matthew Breeze refereeing the 3rd/4th play-off match of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa between Spain and South Africa on the weekend.