The Championship play-off final is just days away, and supporters of both Sheffield United and Sunderland will be feeling a mix of excitement, nerves and pure dread.

Nevertheless, Saturday’s clash between the pair at Wembley Stadium has all the makings of a classic following a dramatic Black Cats victory on aggregate in the semi-final, after Dan Ballard headed home in the 123rd-minute against Coventry City to send his side to within 90 minutes of the Premier League.

It was a lot simpler for Sheffield United, who beat Bristol City 6-0 over two legs, as they look to return to the top flight just a year on after they were last relegated from the division.

The Blades will be hoping to end their play-off hoodoo, having lost out in all eight of their previous ventures in the competition, but this is the first time they have reached the Championship play-off final since 2009. Yet there is potentially one worry for Chris Wilder ahead of this weekend.

Championship play-off final referee confirmed, he’s got plenty of experience

Chris Kavanagh will lead the two teams out at Wembley on May 24, with Saturday’s game set to be his first and only EFL match of the season.

The 39-year-old has been one of the leading referees in the Premier League in 2024/25, while he has also officiated in the Champions League, Europa League and international matches this season.

He has handed out seven red cards in 38 matches so far this campaign, including the controversial second yellow card to Declan Rice in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in August after the Gunners’ midfielder kicked the ball away before the visitors went to take a free kick.

His last game in the Championship came in April 2024 when Sheffield Wednesday left it late to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Norwich City at Hillsborough, with Kavanagh handing out three yellow cards during that clash.

Chris Wilder has had a previous run-in with Chris Kavanagh, he will be hoping there is not a repeat

The Ashton-under-Lyme born official last took charge of Sheffield United at the end of last season, in their 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at home. However, in 2019 Wilder was left fuming with a decision that was taken by Kavanagh in the Blades’ 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Kavanagh looked to have impeded Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck in the lead up to Sergio Aguero’s opener, but as he did not come into contact with the ball, the goal was given after a VAR review.

It later emerged that Wilder had a private conversation with the referee after the final whistle to clear the air between the two. He said  “He invited me into his room afterwards. We had a private conversation. He was very open and honest with what he said to me.

“Whether the PGMOL says something that’s up to them, but the referee was open and honest but what he thought about that. I’ll leave that between me and him, but put two and two together, and you’re going to get the answer.

“He’s affected the game. I believe if he blows up there wouldn’t have been a big debate about it. What I will say is if it happened on the other way around there might have been a little bit more to say than what I’m saying.”

Wilder will be hoping for less controversy in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, as Sheffield United look to deny Sunderland their first taste of Premier League football since 2017.

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