Akil Howson will become the first black official to appear in an FA Cup final when Chelsea face Manchester City at Wembley on 16 May. The 35‑year‑old assistant referee, a member of Premier League Select Group 1 for three seasons, joins a growing list of diverse officials in England’s top tiers.

Darren England will take charge of the match, marking his first time as a referee in the final after serving as fourth official in 2025 and assistant in 2015. Tim Wood acts as second assistant while Sam Barrott covers fourth official duties. Video‑referee Peter Bankes, assisted by Nick Hopton, will manage VAR decisions.

The appointment follows a broader push by Professional Game Match Officials to diversify the refereeing pathway, with names like Farai Hallam, Ruebyn Ricardo and Sam Allison now in the top two divisions. Howson’s presence at Wembley signals progress for representation and reinforces the growing credibility of England’s officiating ranks.

England, added to FIFA’s international list in 2022, will also oversee the match after a three‑month absence caused by a controversial decision in a 2023 Premier League encounter. The final’s officials, including Howson, Wood, Barrott and Bankes, will be under scrutiny as the game promises high stakes for both clubs’ title hopes.