Chelsea learn FA Cup final referee who’s been at heart of multiple Blues controversies
Chelsea fans will be looking ahead to the FA Cup final against Manchester City, but they may feel strange about the choice of referee for the clash at Wembleu
Calum McFarlane will take charge for Chelsea’s trip to Wembley(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
The FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City will be refereed by Darren England. The Premier League official has overseen many Blues matches over the years, whether as the man in the middle, as linesperson or in the VAR studio.
His presence at the flagship clash at Wembley Stadium, which takes place on May 16, was confirmed by the Football Association in a press release. Interim manager Calum McFarlane masterminded a 1-0 home victory over Leeds United in the semi-final, with Enzo Fernandez heading in the winning goal in the first half.
England has had many different refereeing controversies when overseeing the Blues; decisions which have fallen for and against Chelsea. Football London takes a look at a few from the past, ahead of the final on May 16.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: 2025/26
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Liam Rosenior’s unbeaten Premier League run was ended at the Emirates Stadium, when Arsenal edged the Blues 2-1. However, one of the most contentious moments of the clash came when Declan Rice appeared to elbow one of Reece James’ corners away.
England was the man in the middle at the time. His initial decision was no penalty, despite Rice appearing to move his elbow towards the ball as it began to loop downwards. It’s understood England deemed the contact was within normal physical engagement and that any contact with the ball from Rice’s arm was accidental.
VAR also decided to stick with the on-field decision. However, ex-Premier League official Dermot Gallagher said the Blues were hard done, saying: “I thought it was a penalty. I think he moves his arm to the ball and his arm shouldn’t be up that high.
“I get told it’s because he’s engaging with an opponent but in my opinion you shouldn’t be engaged with an opponent that high up, he shouldn’t have his arms around his shoulder.”
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: 2025/26
This was a decision which sent fans and VAR officials scrambling through the rule-book. Not long after Estevao and Joao Pedro had given the Blues a 2-0 lead against Crystal Palace, Pedro saw a goal-bound shot be blocked by the arm of Palace defender Jaydee Canvot.
England needed VAR to see the ball strike the defender’s arm and as he returned to the field, many waited for a penalty and a red card to be awarded.
While the penalty arrived, the red card stayed in his pocket, as England announced: “After review, the ball hits Crystal Palace 23. It is an accidental handball, not deliberate. Therefore it is a penalty kick, however, because it is accidental, this is only a yellow card.”
Considering the nature of the offence, many fans believed the decision was a binary choice of red card and penalty or no red card and no penalty. England found a middle ground, which divided the football world and left both fanbases frustrated.
Wolves vs Chelsea: 2024/25
At the start of the 2024-25 campaign, Enzo Maresca delivered his first Premier League win as Chelsea manager by crushing Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2. However, one of the most pivotal moments of the game came when Robert Sanchez sent a quick goal kick past the Wolves backline for Nicolas Jackson, who prodded the ball onto Cole Palmer for the England international to lob Jose Sa and put Chelsea 2-1 up.
The quality of the goal was inarguable, but the same could not be said for its legitimacy. Many believed Sanchez struck the ball when it was still in motion and therefore should have been disallowed.
England was the referee at the time, but neither he nor VAR thought the ball was still moving by the time it was cleared. The goal was allowed to stand and Noni Madueke went on to score a hat-trick, before Joao Felix slotted in a fantastic strike to seal a 6-2 victory.
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