Championship newbie Ruebyn Ricardo, a referee with an interesting back story, is the man in the middle for QPR's home game with Oxford on Wednesday - his first career appointment with the R's.

Referee >>> Ruebyn Ricardo (Leicestershire)

Assistants >>> Emily Carney (Bolton) and Lee Venamore (Kent)

Fourth Official >>> James Bell (Sheffield)

History

First ever QPR appointment.

Stats

Ruebyn Ricardo, 27, began refereeing in 2013 when a broken wrist prevented him playing sports and his PE teacher asked him to referee the session instead. He was promoted into the national League at the start of 2022/23 and did a first EFL game at the end of that season when Crewe beat Swindon 2-1 in League Two. The following season was again spent mostly in the top division of non-league with a smattering of EFL appearances towards the end, and he also did the Conference play-off tie between Bromley and Altrincham to finish his campaign.

Last season was his first as a regular EFL referee. He showed a chunky 177 yellows and four reds in 38 games (4.657) topped out by four separate hauls of nine cards in a game. He made his Championship debut on new Year’s Day with an Oxford game – their 1-0 away victory at Millwall a first win on the road in the second tier. He did five Championship games in the end and got the FA Vase final between Whyteleafe and Whitstable.

Six games so far this season with a much more chilled running card total of 21 yellows and no reds (3.5) topped out by five yellows at Sheff Wed’s surprise win at Portsmouth last weekend. Three of his games have been in the Championship including Oxford’s 2-2 draw at home to Coventry which means by Wednesday night he’ll have done nine games at this level and three of them will have involved the U’s.

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Pictures - Reuters Connect

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