Darren England Reflects on VAR Error Recovery and Career Revival
Referee Darren England discusses moving past the Luis Diaz VAR mistake, his family's ordeal, and his return to top-level officiating including the FA Cup final and Champions League VAR role.
Referee Darren England has described the Luis Diaz VAR error three years ago as the lowest point of his career, recalling how a lapse in concentration led him to incorrectly confirm "check complete" despite replays showing the Liverpool forward was onside during a match against Tottenham. The disallowed goal triggered widespread media attention, with Liverpool issuing a statement saying sporting integrity had been undermined.
England told BBC Sport the aftermath was especially hard because it extended beyond him to his family, with photographers gathering outside his daughters' school and personal details circulating online. He said the scrutiny affected him "not as a referee, but as a human being." He was removed from Premier League selection and did not officiate a top-flight game again for almost three months, while his return to VAR duties took six and a half months.
The 40-year-old credited work with a sports psychologist, support from family, friends and refereeing bodies, and his own resilience for his comeback. He described the VAR hub as a high-pressure, sanitised environment where mental fatigue accumulates and officials cannot simply walk away after an error. Reflecting on the Diaz incident, he said he remained focused and trusted his record of making hundreds of correct decisions.
England's career has since been revived. In 2026 he has handled major matches, including Manchester City's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Chelsea, which he called the pinnacle of his career. On Tuesday he was appointed as a VAR in the Champions League for the first time, for Galatasaray against Stuttgart. He has also handled high-profile VAR calls, including a disallowed West Ham stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal in May.
At a referees' training camp at Loughborough University, Professional Referee Group director Hugh Dallas introduced England as having become a role model before presenting him with a Premier League plaque and medal for his 100th top-flight game, a moment that drew warm applause from colleagues. England, who qualified as a referee at 15, previously worked as an assistant and in Barnsley's academy before restarting in the National League in 2015 to build a career as a referee.
England said referees face constant scrutiny, including questions from parents on the school run, and that he avoids social media. He rejected the idea that officials do not care about football, saying a costly mistake can spoil their weekend and sometimes longer. Looking ahead, he named the Carabao Cup and Championship play-off final among his remaining targets, adding that when he no longer has goals it will probably be time to step off the field.
