Phil Dowd faces the chop

Phil Dowd has failed a fitness test, leaving his career as a Premier League referee in doubt.

The Daily Mail reports that the 49-year-old must now work to regain fitness in order to save his career.

Dowd took charge of the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool at the start of the month.

According to reports, Dowd's bosses would like him to continue and there has never been a previous concern over his fitness.

The Staffordshire man will now take a holiday before retaking the test before the start of next season.