Anthony Taylor will referee next month's FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea - becoming the first official to take charge of the showpiece decider on two occasions since 1901.

Referees are usually only appointed for the role once during their career.

But the English FA has decided that it would be unfair for an official's only experience of the job to take place at the behind-closed-doors final.

"Refereeing an FA Cup Final is a dream but, unlike the players, a referee usually only does the Final once,” FA Referees’ Committee chairman David Elleray said of the appointment.

“This makes the appointment very special and a significant part of the Cup Final appointment is the opportunity to share this – the English refereeing pinnacle – with partners, family, friends and those who have been an important part of their long journey to the Final.

“Sadly, this year’s Final will be very different and will be held without all these elements in an empty stadium. With this in mind, the Committee decided it would be unfair to appoint someone who has not yet done the Final and have, instead, appointed Anthony Taylor to his second FA Cup Final.”

Taylor is also on the UEFA referee panel for the Europa League and Champions League knockout stages next month.