Who is the referee for Sunderland vs Swansea?
Sunderland will likely not welcome the referee to the Stadium of Light for game against Swansea too warmly, with them failing to win any of the last four matches involving the official.
Keith Stroud will be the man in charge for the game, which sees the start of Mike Dodds third spell in charge as interim head coach.
So, who is Keith Stroud and what is his record like when officiating Sunderland matches?
Who is the referee for Sunderland vs Swansea?
Keith Stroud is the referee for Sunderland vs Swansea, and it’s probably fair to say that he isn’t entirely popular among many fanbases up and down the country.
Swansea actually know him much better than most. He has not refereed any club in the country more than he has this week’s visitors to the Stadium of Light. This will be his 37th game involving the Swans.
He is also one of the most yellow card-happy referees in the division, although he keeps his red card in his pocket much more often than not, to be fair.
He will be assisted by Andrew Dallison and Robert Merchant with Scott Tallis taking fourth official duties.
Keith Stroud stats (23/23 Season)
Championship Games: 17
Yellow Cards: 82
Red Cards: 1
Penalties Awarded: 2
Last three Keith Stroud Sunderland games
It’s fair to say that Stroud hasn’t exactly been a lucky charm for Sunderland lately.
In fact, the Black Cats have failed to win any of the last four games they played which had Stroud as the referee.
Those include the home game against Swansea City last season as well, when he sent off Luke O'Nien in the first half. That decision was completely correct, but he angered with several bad decisions on the day as well.
Leicester 1-0 Sunderland (Championship, 24 October 2023)
Stoud made a costly mistake for Sunderland the last time he officiated a game involving them.
Tony Mowbray’s side went to the King Power Stadium in October and put in a fine performances.
It was one worthy of something, and they probably would have got it had Stroud not missed a clear foul on Dan Neil in the box during the second half.
Coventry 0-0 Sunderland (Championship, 26 August 2023)
The other time Stroud refereed Sunderland this season it was a bit of a snorefest, you’d have to say.
Sunderland and Coventry were both struggling for a little early season form and it showed at the CBS Arena.
Sunderland 4-4 Hull (Championship, 7 April 2023)
No one could accuse the game of being uneventful the last time Stroud was the referee at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland and Hull shared eight goals evenly in a brilliantly open contest back in April last year.
Stroud was again at the centre of it, though, awarding a last-minute penalty for Hull to equalise. The decision was absolutely correct, though.
Keith Stroud record in Sunderland matches
Games: 14
Sunderland wins: 5
Draws: 4
Sunderland defeats: 5
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