Premier League official set to retain Man United vs Leeds role ahead of police misconduct hearing

Premier League assistant referee Richard West is expected to retain his appointment for Manchester United against Leeds United on Monday despite facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee in his role as a sergeant at Humberside Police.

The 51-year-old is the subject of a gross misconduct hearing slated for April 27 after a female colleague in the police force lodged a complaint against the official.

West ran the line in Chelsea’s 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

As things stand, there is no indication that the PGMO, the body that oversees referees in English football and appoints them to matches, is going to stand West down for Monday night’s league game at Old Trafford.

The PGMO, however, is aware of the allegations facing West and say they will monitor the hearing and its outcome.

If the allegations regarding West’s gross misconduct are upheld over the five-day hearing, then he could be stripped of his role as a police sergeant at Humberside Police.

West has been accused of an “off-duty” relationship with a female colleague “more junior” to his rank when he knew that “she was encounter very difficult personal circumstances”.

The employee has alleged that when she ended the relationship, West “subjected her to unwanted and inappropriate contact”.

Other allegations include “continuing to contact Miss A after being told his behaviour was being investigated” and for manipulating her shifts, “meaning the two of them were double-crewed and she was not with other male officers”.

If West does retain his spot running the line on Monday night, as indicated by the PGMO, then he will be assisting on-field referee Paul Tierney.