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Darren England will referee the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley on May 16, and he is no stranger to taking charge of controversial games involving the west Londoners<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nThe referee has been under fire before(Image: Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea will be officiated by Darren England. The Premier League referee has taken charge of numerous City and Chelsea fixtures over the years, whether as the main official, as an assistant referee or in the VAR booth.<\/p>\n
His appointment at the blockbuster encounter at Wembley Stadium, which takes place on May 16, was announced by the Football Association in a press release.<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola’s side secured their place in the final with a 2-1 win over Southampton in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Chelsea secured their spot with a 1-0 win against Leeds United, setting up an all-blue clash in London in May.<\/p>\n
Get MEN Premium now for just \u00a31 HERE \u2013 or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nEngland has been involved in several refereeing controversies when officiating Chelsea, however, with rulings going both for and against them.<\/p>\n
Here, Manchester Evening News<\/em><\/strong> examines a few from recent times, ahead of the final on May 16.<\/p>\nArsenal vs Chelsea: 2025\/26<\/strong><\/h3>\nLiam Rosenior’s unbeaten Premier League streak was stopped at the Emirates Stadium, when Arsenal narrowly beat Chelsea 2-1. However, one of the most disputed incidents of the encounter occurred when Declan Rice appeared to knock one of Reece James’ corners away with his elbow.<\/p>\n
England was the referee at the time. His original ruling was no penalty, despite Rice appearing to shift his elbow towards the ball as it started to drop downwards.<\/p>\n
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\nDeclan Rice’s alleged handball was waved away by the referee(Image: Premier League)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
It’s understood England judged the contact was within normal physical engagement and that any contact with the ball from Rice’s arm was unintentional. VAR also opted to uphold the on-field decision.<\/p>\n
However, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher suggested Chelsea had been harshly treated. He said: “I thought it was a penalty. I think he moves his arm to the ball and his arm shouldn’t be up that high.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: 2025\/26<\/strong><\/h3>\nThis was a ruling that had fans and VAR officials frantically consulting the rulebook. Shortly after Estevao and Joao Pedro had handed Chelsea a 2-0 advantage against Crystal Palace, Pedro saw a goal-bound effort blocked by the arm of Palace defender Jaydee Canvot.<\/p>\n
England needed VAR to confirm that the ball had struck the defender’s arm and, as he returned to the pitch, many anticipated a penalty and a red card. While the penalty was awarded, the red card remained in his pocket, as England announced: “After review, the ball hits Crystal Palace 23.<\/p>\n
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\nThe verdict seemed to be straightforward(Image: Sky)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
“It is an accidental handball, not deliberate. Therefore it is a penalty kick, however, because it is accidental, this is only a yellow card.”<\/p>\n
Given the nature of the offence, many supporters felt the decision was a straightforward choice between a red card and penalty or neither. England settled on a compromise, which split opinion across the football world and left both sets of fans dissatisfied.<\/p>\n
Wolves vs Chelsea: 2024\/25<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhen the 2024\/25 season got underway, Enzo Maresca marked his first Premier League triumph as Chelsea boss with a stunning 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers.<\/p>\n
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\nSanchez was under controversy for the goal(Image: 2024 Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
One of the most talked-about moments of the match arrived when Robert Sanchez played a rapid goal kick beyond the Wolves defensive line to Nicolas Jackson, who laid the ball off to Cole Palmer for the England star to chip Jose Sa and hand Chelsea a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\n
The quality of the finish was beyond dispute, yet the same couldn’t be said for its validity. A number of onlookers were convinced Sanchez had struck the ball while it was still moving, and that the goal should therefore have been ruled out.<\/p>\n
England was the referee on the day, but neither he nor VAR were satisfied that the ball remained in motion at the point of play. The goal was allowed to stand, and Noni Madueke went on to complete a hat-trick, before Joao Felix wrapped things up with a superb strike to seal a commanding 6-2 win.<\/p>\n
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