Meet the referee: Boro v Chelsea

Last updated : 10 February 2006 By Reggie Holdsworth
Steve Bennett (Kent)
b. 17/1/1961

Mr Bennett makes his first visit to the Riverside, but he has been in charge of three Boro away games this term, all three being remembered for some poor refereeing decions.

At West Ham Mr Bennett failed to overrule his assistant for a goal when the ball had clearly not crossed the line. At Liverpool he sent off Chris Riggott for two innocuous challenges and allowed an offside goal to stand. And finally at Newcastle he missed a blatant penalty.

Having started on the Football League list in 1995, he was promoted to the Premier League list in 1999 and has officiated in well over 100 Premier League games since.

Domestically, the top games that he has taken charge of include the 2003 Division 1 Play-off Final between Wolves and Sheffield United and the 2005 Carling Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

He was promoted to the FIFA list in 2001 and has numerous Champions League, UEFA Cup and international matches under his belt.

Last season he booked 169 players in 42 games (over 4 per game) and sent off 10. This season so far he has booked 97 players in 28 games and sent off 9.