**PRESS RELEASE FROM THEFA.COM**

The FA can today confirm that Mike Dean will referee this season's FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City.
The Cheshire official started refereeing in 1985, progressing through local leagues, then the Northern Premier League before being appointed to the National List of referees in 1997.
In May 2000 he refereed the League Two Play-Off Final between Darlington and Peterborough United at the old Wembley Stadium.
The same year he was promoted to the Select Group of referees and started officiating regularly in the Premiership.
A FIFA international referee since January 2003, Dean was fourth official at that season's FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Southampton, and was in charge of the 2004 FA Community Shield between the Gunners and Manchester United.

Full list of officials
Referee - Mike Dean (Cheshire FA)
Assistant Referees - Trevor Massey (Manchester FA) & Martin Yerby (Kent FA)
Fourth Official - Chris Foy (Liverpool FA)