Darren England is set to officiate the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Man City at Wembley, but his journey to this high-profile role has been far from usual. Known for being at the heart of one of the biggest VAR blunders in English football, England’s career has certainly been eventful. Back in September 2023, while manning the VAR, he failed to overturn a wrong offside on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, despite clear evidence that it was a legitimate goal. The fallout was immense, with many calling the error “incomprehensible” and forcing England to step down temporarily from his officiating duties.
Yet, this didn’t deter England. He’s crafted a remarkable story, including finding out about his dream FA Cup Final appointment via a phone call while on a mundane trip to the tip. Before donning the referee’s whistle, he was a coach in Barnsley’s academy and even took up refereeing just to bolster his CV. His journey saw him transition from a FIFA assistant referee officiating elite European matches back to grassroots football – a bold “Deal Or No Deal” kind of decision that has now paid off.
Known for his quirks, England has a history of memorable Wembley moments, from tripping up the steps post-2015 FA Cup Final to experiencing a stomach-churning incident as a Barnsley fan in 2008, thanks to an ill-advised curry. So, for this year’s final, he’s steering clear of spicy meals!
As England prepares to take centre stage at Wembley, the focus will be on redemption and proving his mettle in one of football’s most prestigious arenas. Here’s to hoping the only slip-up this year will be him losing his footing! 🏆⚽