PREMIER LEAGUE OFFICIALS have decided against allowing self-confessed Leicester City fan Kevin Friend referee Tottenham’s clash with Stoke this weekend.

Friend was originally scheduled to officiate Spurs’ visit to the Britannia Stadium but has now been replaced by Neil Swarbick for Monday’s fixture.

Tottenham are Leicester’s closest challengers for the title with Mauricio Pochettino’s side seven points behind the Foxes.

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd doesn’t select Friend for any Leicester games because he lives in the city and attends games at the King Power Stadium as a fan.

But the referees’ body has now decided that due to the ‘timing and context’ of Monday’s game it would be best if Friend wasn’t involved.

“It was felt unnecessary to add extra scrutiny on the refereeing appointment,” a PGMOL statement said.

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