Akil Howson
History is set to be made at Wembley Stadium as Akil Howson becomes the first Black match official to feature in an FA Cup final.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as an assistant referee for the highly anticipated clash between Chelsea FC and Manchester City scheduled for May 16.
His selection marks a significant milestone in English football and reflects ongoing efforts to promote diversity within officiating.
Howson, a member of the Premier League’s Select Group 1 for the past three seasons, has steadily built a reputation as one of the most reliable assistant referees in the game.
His appointment to one of football’s most prestigious fixtures underscores growing recognition of his consistency and professionalism.
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The final will be officiated by Darren England, who will be taking charge of his first FA Cup final. He will be supported by assistant referee Tim Wood, fourth official Sam Barrott, while Peter Bankes will oversee Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties alongside Nick Hopton.
Howson’s historic inclusion comes amid broader efforts by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to create a more inclusive pathway in refereeing.
In recent years, officials such as Farai Hallam, Ruebyn Ricardo, and Sam Allison have also progressed into top-tier football, highlighting gradual but meaningful change.
For Darren England, the appointment represents a major career milestone.
After facing criticism over a high-profile VAR error involving Luis Díaz during a Premier League match between Tottenham and Liverpool in 2023, he has worked his way back to the top, earning the opportunity to officiate one of the biggest matches in English footbal
As anticipation builds for the FA Cup final, Howson’s groundbreaking role stands out as a powerful symbol of progress one that could inspire a new generation of referees across the world.
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