Not this man again 💔😭: This is the official referee appointed to officiate the game between Leicester City vs Preston North End.

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    Preston North End will be overseen by referee Benjamin Speedie for the first time this season when they travel to Leicester City on Good Friday.

    Paul Heckingbottom’s side make the trip to the King Power Stadium in confident mood, having beaten Stoke City prior to the international break.

    It will also be Speedie’s first involvement in a Leicester fixture, while his only previous Preston assignment came in last season’s Carabao Cup, a comfortable 5-0 victory at Harrogate Town.

    LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Referee Ben Speedie during the Vertu EFL Trophy Final match between Birmingham City and Peterborough United at Wembley Stadium on April 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

    He will be assisted by Bhupinder Singh Gill and Alex James, with David Webb appointed as fourth official.

    Speedie has taken charge of 35 matches this term, producing 100 yellow cards and four red cards. The Merseyside official has refereed six Championship fixtures during the current campaign.

    Preston face a swift turnaround, returning to Deepdale on Easter Monday to host Queens Park Rangers.

    Thomas Kirk will take charge of that encounter, supported by assistants Jonathan Bickerdike and Shaun Hudson. In an interesting twist, Speedie will serve as fourth official for that match.

    Kirk has issued 129 yellow cards and four red cards across 29 games this season. He previously officiated Preston’s 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough and their goalless encounter at Stoke City.

    This will be his second Leicester appointment of the campaign, having handled their 3-1 win over Ipswich Town.

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