Carabao Cup Final Referee's Liverpool Ban Explained
Experienced Premier League official Peter Bankes has been appointed as the referee for the highly anticipated Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City, scheduled for Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The announcement, made on March 11, confirms Bankes will oversee the clash, but it reveals a significant restriction: he would be ineligible to officiate if Liverpool were involved in the match.
FA Rules Prohibit Local Team Involvement
Bankes is barred from taking charge of games involving Liverpool or their local rivals Everton due to his affiliation with the Liverpool Football Association as his county FA. This regulation is part of the Premier League's strict protocols to maintain impartiality, requiring referees to disclose their supported teams and avoid matches that could directly affect those clubs or involve teams from their local area.
The 43-year-old referee was congratulated by his local FA when he joined the Premier League's 'A' List of top officials for the 2019/20 season, highlighting the connection that now restricts his assignments. For the final, Bankes will be assisted by Neil Davies and Steve Meredith, with Marc Perry as reserve assistant referee and Tom Bramall serving as fourth official.
VAR Implementation and Historical Record
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be in use for the final, with John Brooks appointed as the video assistant referee and Dan Robathan as his assistant. Bankes brings a substantial track record to the fixture, having officiated 14 Arsenal matches throughout his career, including the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Arsenal have secured 10 victories, one draw, and three defeats under Bankes' supervision. In contrast, Manchester City have recorded six wins, one draw, and five losses with him in charge, notably including a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal last season. Notably, Bankes has not awarded a single red card or penalty in those 14 Arsenal games, while only one sending-off occurred in his 12 City matches—John Stones' dismissal in a 2021 victory over Aston Villa.
Current Season Performance and Broader Context
During the 2025/26 Premier League season, Bankes has refereed 22 matches, issuing six penalties and four red cards. Two of those red cards were awarded in a single September match at Old Trafford, where Chelsea's Robert Sanchez and Manchester United's Robert Sanchez were both sent off. This appointment underscores the Premier League's commitment to transparency and fairness in officiating, ensuring referees avoid conflicts of interest through clear geographical and supportive team disclosures.
