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The referee who became a role model after bouncing back from Diaz error

Referee Darren England shares how he has moved on from the VAR error that stalled his career to the FA Cup final and the Champions League.

Published: Tuesday, 3 November 2026 at 6:41 AM
The referee who became a role model after bouncing back from Diaz error
Key Things to Know
  • Darren England has revived his career to earn a Champions League VAR appointment after his 2023 Luis Diaz blunder.
  • England's erroneous offside check during Tottenham versus Liverpool led to months out of Premier League selection.
  • The 40-year-old referee officiated Manchester City's 1-0 win against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Premier League referee Darren England has revived his career after wrongly disallowing Luis Diaz's goal as video assistant referee during Tottenham versus Liverpool three years ago. The 40-year-old official has earned promotion to serve as a Champions League VAR for Tuesday's match between Galatasaray and Stuttgart. The appointment marks a major milestone following a career-threatening period of intense public and media scrutiny.

After the high-profile error, England worked with a sports psychologist and gradually returned to officiating duties over several months. His rejuvenation has since included officiating Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final and reaching his 100th Premier League match.

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