Akil Howson Makes FA Cup History as First Black Official

When Akil Howson steps onto the Wembley pitch next month, he'll make football history in a way that's been 153 years overdue.

The 35-year-old assistant referee will become the first black official to work an FA Cup final when Chelsea faces Manchester City on May 16. Howson, who represents the Leicestershire & Rutland Football Association, has earned his place after three seasons in the Premier League's elite Select Group 1 refereeing panel.

Darren England will referee the match, his first time taking center stage at English football's most iconic domestic final. The 40-year-old Sheffield official previously served as fourth official in 2025 and assistant referee in 2015, steadily building toward this career milestone.

Tim Wood joins as second assistant referee, with Sam Barrott as fourth official and Peter Bankes handling VAR duties alongside Nick Hopton. Together, they'll oversee one of the season's biggest matches at 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon watched by millions worldwide.

The Ripple Effect

Howson's appointment isn't happening in isolation. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited has actively worked to diversify refereeing pathways, and the results are showing.

Officials like Farai Hallam, Ruebyn Ricardo, Sam Allison, and Paul Howard have all climbed the ranks in recent years. Several now regularly officiate Premier League and Championship matches, opening doors that seemed firmly closed just a decade ago.

Their presence matters beyond representation. Young referees from all backgrounds can now see themselves reflected at football's highest levels, imagining careers they might never have considered possible.

For Howson, the journey to Wembley represents years of dedication to his craft. Being the first carries weight, but his focus remains on doing the job excellently, just as he has throughout his Premier League career.

The 2026 FA Cup final will crown a champion and celebrate a sport evolving toward true inclusion.