Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Tuesday, September 15
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn VKontakte
    Talk Sport UG
    • Home
    • African Football
    • International Football
    • Uganda Premier League
    • Others
    Talk Sport UG
    Home»The Latest»Akil Howson to make history as first black FA Cup final official
    The Latest

    Akil Howson to make history as first black FA Cup final official

    April 29, 2026No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Assistant referee Akil Howson during the EFL Cup tie between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium in October 2025
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Akil Howson will become the first black official to feature in an FA Cup final when Chelsea take on Manchester City next month.

    The 35-year-old has been named as an assistant referee for the game at Wembley on 16 May.

    Darren England will referee the showpiece event for the first time, having previously being the fourth official at the 2025 final and an assistant referee at the 2015 final.

    Tim Wood is the second assistant and Sam Barrott has been chosen as the fourth official.

    Video assistant referee (VAR) duties will be taken on by Peter Bankes, assisted by Nick Hopton.

    Howson, who is from the Leicestershire & Rutland Football Association, has been part of the Premier League’s Select Group 1 for the last three seasons.

    Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) are making efforts to diversify the refereeing pathway.

    Farai Hallam, Ruebyn Ricardo and Sam Allison now officiate in the top two divisions of the men’s game.

    Paul Howard has progressed through an enhanced training programme to operate regularly as a VAR in the Premier League.

    For referee England, this will be a significant milestone on his rehabilitation from his mistake during Tottenham’s game against Liverpool in September 2023.

    Acting as the VAR, England incorrectly interpreted the on-field decision which led to a Luis Diaz goal incorrectly being disallowed for offside.

    The Sheffield & Hallamshire official did not referee a Premier League game for almost three months after the error, before being eased back into top-flight duty.

    The 40-year-old, who was added to Fifa’s list of international referees in 2022, will now get the chance to take charge of the marquee game on the English football calendar.

    Akil Black Cup Final History Howson official
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Enzo Maresca: How Man City manager is tackling the toughest job in football

    September 15, 2026

    Leeds 4-1 Newcastle: Is ‘unplayable’ Calvert-Lewin in line for England recall?

    September 15, 2026

    Henry Pollock: Northampton star ‘open to offers’ as contract talks continue

    September 14, 2026
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You May Also Like

    Chelle to change Super Eagles approach

    January 14, 2026

    Beyuku’s late strike earns Vipers some extent towards KCCA – The Panorama Uganda

    April 30, 2026

    Liam Farrell: Decorated Wigan Warriors captain to retire at end of season

    September 7, 2026

    World Cup 2026: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland & Kane in Golden Boot race for the ages – who will win?

    June 23, 2026

    Soroti derby heads to Soroti, Jinja SS host Wanderers in CU Girls’s Nationwide League Division One motion » The Touchline Sports activities – The Panorama Uganda

    June 28, 2026

    KCCA agree phrases with SC Villa Midfielder – The Panorama Uganda

    June 20, 2026
    © 2026 - Talk Sport UG.
    • Home

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Ad Blocker Enabled!
    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.