Akil Howson set to be first black official at an FA Cup final as line-up confirmed

Akil Howson will become the first black official at an FA Cup final, supporting Darren England at Wembley as Chelsea face Manchester City on May 16.

Akil Howson is set to make history at Wembley, with his appointment confirmed as part of the officiating team for the FA Cup final.

Howson is expected to become the first black official in the competition’s 154-year history, joining referee Darren England as one of England’s assistants for Chelsea against Manchester City on May 16.

For Howson, the moment is the latest step in a career that has already broken barriers.. In August 2023, he became the Premier League’s first permanent black official in 15 years, following Uriah Rennie.. The significance of that milestone hasn’t faded; it was followed by growing visibility of officials from a wider range of backgrounds as the sport continues to broaden where opportunity exists.

Across the men’s and women’s professional game, Misryoum understands that more than seven per cent of officials are now of black, Asian or mixed heritage—about triple the share from 2022.. While that figure is still far from a finish line, it reflects real progress from grassroots pathways through to the professional ranks, and it helps explain why officials like Howson are appearing more regularly in the biggest fixtures.

England, meanwhile, is also central to the story of this year’s final. His appointment as the lead referee is widely viewed as recognition of his performances during the season, and the outing at Wembley will be another major career chapter after a difficult episode in top-flight football.

In September 2023, England became the subject of heavy scrutiny after a high-profile VAR error during a Premier League match between Tottenham and Liverpool.. He mistakenly failed to overrule an on-field decision that disallowed a Luis Diaz goal for offside.. The repercussions were immediate: he did not referee for three months afterwards, and did not return to VAR duties until April 2024.

That timeline matters because it shows the pressure officials operate under now, especially in matches where fine margins can swing outcomes.. Misryoum also notes that the modern game has placed officiating decisions under a microscope, with VAR adding another layer of complexity rather than reducing controversy.. For England, the return to a high-stakes role suggests confidence from the governing system and a belief that he can perform reliably when the spotlight is brightest.

For fans, all of this will be felt in a more practical way than history books suggest.. A final is not only about the teams; it’s about how the match is managed—how challenges are interpreted, how disputes are handled, and how quickly referees communicate and reset the game when momentum stalls.. Those dynamics influence the tone of Chelsea vs Manchester City from the first whistle to the final moments, and the officials are the people tasked with keeping that control.

There’s also a wider trend behind the scenes.. The increase in diversity among professional officials is often linked to changes that began far earlier—mentoring, recruitment, and a more structured pipeline from local leagues to higher levels.. When the sport can widen access and keep those officials progressing, it makes it more likely that “firsts” will happen without having to wait decades.

Looking ahead, Howson’s appointment at this level may do more than mark a breakthrough for one individual.. It could encourage more participants at grassroots level to see elite officiating as a realistic destination, not a distant idea.. And with another landmark final approaching, Misryoum will be watching closely to see how the match unfolds—and how history is reflected on the pitch, too.