The highly-rated Walton, of West Haddon, was today given the Wembley game between Machester United and Portsmouth after an inquiry was announced into the financial affairs of Clattenburg.

With the new Premier League season due to start in nine days' time, Clattenburg will also not officiate in any other games until the issue has been resolved.

A joint statement from the Football Association and the referees body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said: "PGMO is aware of media reports concerning alleged debts incurred by companies connected to referee Mark Clattenburg.

"It has been decided he will not officiate any matches pending enquiries into the background to these reports.

"The FA has also decided to appoint Peter Walton as referee for Sunday's FA Community Shield between Manchester United and Portsmouth in place of Mark Clattenburg."

A PGMO spokesman added: "It is in the best interests of Mark Clattenburg and the game that these reports are fully investigated and, during that time, he will not referee any matches.

"Mark Clattenburg is one of England's leading referees and we hope to resolve this matter swiftly."

Clattenburg's firm MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd was wound up under the Insolvency Act on June 27, Newcastle County Court confirmed.

Friend John Hepworth took legal action in a bid to recover a debt reported to be almost £60,000.

In May Mr Hepworth served Clattenburg's firm with legal papers demanding £59,589.

When it failed to pay, he took the case to the county court and MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd was wound up.