Darren England, the referee at the centre of a major VAR controversy in the Premier League, has been appointed to officiate next month's FA Cup final. The prestigious match between Manchester City and Chelsea on 16 May will also see Akil Howson become the first black official in the competition's 154-year history.
England's selection marks a significant career milestone, coming after a high-profile VAR error during a Premier League fixture between Tottenham and Liverpool in September 2023. In that incident, he mistakenly failed to overturn an on-field decision that disallowed a Luis Diaz goal for offside. The error led to England being sidelined from refereeing for three months, and he did not return to VAR duties until April the following year.
Despite the past controversy, the appointment is seen as recognition of his performances this season. England, who joined the Premier League referee ranks in 2020, previously served as the fourth official at last year's FA Cup final and as an assistant in the 2015 final.
Akil Howson will serve as one of England's assistants for the final. His inclusion is a landmark achievement, building on his August 2023 appointment as the Premier League's first permanent black official in 15 years, following Uriah Rennie. In August 2023, Howson became the Premier League's first permanent black official since Uriah Rennie.
This historic selection further highlights the growing diversity within the officiating ranks across both grassroots and professional football. Currently, more than seven per cent of officials in the men's and women's professional games are of black, Asian, or mixed heritage, a figure that has tripled since 2022.
Manchester City reached May's final after coming from behind to beat Championship side Southampton. Nico Gonzalez scored a late winner after Jeremy Doku cancelled out Finn Azaz's opener. Chelsea, meanwhile, beat fellow Premier League side Leeds United to reach the final. Enzo Fernandez scored the only goal of the game in the first half to set up the final against Pep Guardiola's side.
