Overview
- The FA confirmed the officiating crew for the Wembley final between Chelsea and Manchester City, with Darren England set to referee.
- Akil Howson will serve as an assistant referee and will be the first black official to feature in an FA Cup final.
- The crew also includes assistant Tim Wood, fourth official Sam Barrott, and VAR Peter Bankes with Nick Hopton as assistant VAR.
- England's appointment follows a phased return after a 2023 VAR error in Tottenham vs Liverpool that led to a Luis Díaz goal being wrongly ruled offside.
- Officials cite a wider PGMO drive to open pathways and train specialists, noting progress by Farai Hallam, Ruebyn Ricardo, Sam Allison, and regular Premier League VAR Paul Howard.