Darren England Rebuilds Refereeing Career After Luis Diaz VAR Controversy

Posted : 03 November 2026

Premier League referee Darren England has spoken about his difficult journey back to the top of football officiating after the controversial VAR error that disallowed Luis Diaz's goal for Liverpool against Tottenham in 2023.

The 40-year-old South Yorkshire official endured a challenging period following the incident, which attracted widespread criticism and affected not only his professional career but also his family.

During the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Diaz appeared to give Liverpool the lead, but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside. England, who was operating as the video assistant referee, mistakenly told the on-field officials that the check was complete without correcting the decision, despite the available footage showing the Liverpool forward was onside.

Reflecting on the incident, England described it as the lowest moment of his refereeing career, acknowledging the emotional difficulties that followed the mistake.

The controversy resulted in his removal from Premier League appointments. He waited almost three months before returning as an on-field referee and approximately six and a half months before taking up VAR duties in the competition again.

England revealed that the intense media attention was particularly difficult because his family became targets of unwanted scrutiny. Journalists reportedly gathered outside his children's school, while personal family photographs were also circulated.

To rebuild his confidence, he worked with a sports psychologist and received important support from Professional Game Match Officials Limited, friends and relatives. He also focused on reminding himself that one mistake did not erase the many correct decisions he had made throughout his career.

His determination has since helped him re-establish himself as one of the trusted officials in English football. Throughout 2026, England has been entrusted with several high-profile appointments, including Manchester City's FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.

He described taking charge of the Wembley final as one of the greatest moments of his career, explaining that officiating the prestigious occasion had always been a major ambition.

His progress has also extended to European football. UEFA has now promoted him to Champions League VAR duties for the first time, with the official assigned to Wednesday's match between Galatasaray and Stuttgart.

England's journey has earned admiration from colleagues, with Professional Referee Group director Hugh Dallas describing him as a role model during a refereeing training session.

Despite the challenges associated with modern officiating and the additional scrutiny brought by VAR, England remains determined to improve. He believes referees must continue developing their skills as the standard of football rises, while maintaining ambitions to officiate more major finals.

Three years after one of the most widely criticised VAR mistakes in Premier League history, England's return to high-profile appointments represents a significant recovery in his refereeing career.

Darren England Rebuilds Refereeing Career After Luis Diaz VAR Controversy

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics