Drighlington official set to referee at Euro 2016
Atkinson has refereed in the UEFA Champions League and an FA Cup final at Wembley, but it will be another big honour when he steps out to take charge of a game in a tournament involving all the big nations of Europe.
Fellow Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has also been chosen for Euro 2016 and they will be bidding to be the first Englishman to referee a final in the tournament since Arthur Ellis and Arthur Holland took charge of the first two in 1960 and 1964 – so long as the England team do not reach the final!
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Hide AdIt will not be Atkinson’s first Euro as he was an assistant referee in 2012.
Atkinson was in action in his most recent game at Old Trafford on Monday when he took charge of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea.