Japanese referee to oversee FA Cup match

Japanese referee Masaaki Toma will officiate the FA Cup first round tie between Brentford and Basingstoke on Saturday.

The 38-year-old, who is part of a referee exchange programme, will become the first non-Brit to oversee an FA Cup match.

"His appointment shows that the FA Cup really does hold global appeal," said David Elleray, who chairs the FA's referees committee.

Premier League referees Howard Webb and Martin Atkinson officiated matches in Japan in June as part of the initiative.