Top ref for Burnley grudge match

ONE of Europe’s top referees will handle Burnley’s Europa League qualifier with Olympiacos tonight. Hungarian Viktor Kassai will take charge at Turf Moor after last week’s ill-tempered first leg left Burnley manager Sean Dyche accusing the Greeks of intimidating officials in the tunnel at half-time. Kassai, 42, has been on FIFA’s elite list for 15 seasons and was in charge of Manchester United’s 2011 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona at Wembley. Burnley, who lost 3-1 last week, face a battle to reach the group stage and it is hoped Kassai will be strong enough to deal with any flashpoints. Dyche, who saw Ben Gibson sent off at the Karaiskakis Stadium, said: ‘Maybe UEFA looked at reports from the last game and thought, “Hmm, maybe it was not as good as we would hope”. There are different styles of refereeing in Europe as there are different styles of play.’ The relationship between the clubs is tense and one Burnley supporter was stabbed in the leg by a local before kick-off in the first game. The Premier League side want a fierce atmosphere in east Lancashire and Dyche urged his team to relish their role of underdogs. ‘You have to go for it but in a sensible manner,’ he added. ‘Don’t get out of it before you’re in it. ‘Olympiacos have something to keep. We have something to go after. Does it affect tactics? Probably. ‘Let’s seize the fact we’re underdogs as a strength and take that challenge on.’ The Burnley manager did, however, admit that part of his attention has been drawn to Sunday’s home clash against Manchester United and attempting to inflict more problems on their manager Jose Mourinho. ‘We’ve got to have an eye on Sunday — but it is only one eye,’ Dyche said. ‘We’ve had a tough start in the league but I’ve made it clear to the players we focus on this.’