Who is the referee and VAR for EFL Cup final? Past controversies, records against Arsenal and Man City

The 2026 EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium is set to be a monumental clash as Arsenal and Manchester City vie for the first major domestic trophy of the season. With both teams deep in a Premier League title race, this Sunday's showdown carries immense weight. Beyond the tactical genius of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, much of the pre-match focus has shifted to the officials tasked with managing the high-stakes encounter. The EFL has officially confirmed the matchday appointments, sparking discussions regarding previous decisions, statistical trends, and the history of the officiating crew with these two English giants.

The referee for the 2026 EFL Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City is Peter Bankes, who will be overseeing his first major cup final. Joining him in the VAR booth is John Brooks, supported by Dan Robathan as the Assistant Video Assistant Referee. Peter Bankes, a Lancashire-born official, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2021 and is one of the most active referees in the Premier League this season. His appointment is seen as a reward for his consistent performance throughout the current campaign, though his record of being quick to use his cards could play a significant factor in a final often defined by intensity and physical challenges.

Full Officiating Crew for the Carabao Cup Final

The English Football League (EFL) and PGMOL have selected a highly experienced team to manage the proceedings at Wembley. Peter Bankes leads the on-field team, but the support network around him is equally vital for such a high-profile fixture. Neil Davies and Steve Meredith have been named as the assistant referees, responsible for patrolling the touchlines. Tom Bramall will serve as the fourth official, positioned between the technical areas to manage the conduct of the managers and handle substitutions. Marc Perry rounds out the on-site team as the reserve assistant referee.

In the VAR hub at Stockley Park, John Brooks will take the lead. Brooks is a familiar face to both sets of fans, having officiated several high-profile matches involving the title contenders earlier this season. The AVAR, Dan Robathan, will assist Brooks in reviewing subjective calls and ensuring factual accuracy for offside and goal-line decisions. This crew has been selected based on their performance metrics over the 2025-26 season, reflecting the EFL's commitment to ensuring the highest standard of officiating for their showpiece event.

Peter Bankes: Profile of the Man in the Middle

Peter Bankes has steadily risen through the ranks of English football to become one of the most prominent officials in the top flight. Born in 1982, Bankes transitioned to the Premier League's Select Group 1 in 2019. Since then, his reputation for maintaining control through strict adherence to the rules has made him a frequent choice for matches involving "Big Six" clubs. This season, Bankes has officiated 21 Premier League games, trailing only Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver in terms of total assignments.

Statistically, Bankes is known for a relatively high card-per-game average. He has issued 86 yellow cards and a league-high four red cards this term, signaling that he is unlikely to let the emotions of a cup final boil over without consequence. His willingness to award penalties—five so far this season—is another critical metric that both Arsenal and Manchester City defenders will need to keep in mind when engaging in challenges inside the box. As he steps out for his first major final, all eyes will be on whether he maintains this strict approach or allows for more leniency given the occasion.

Arsenal’s Record Under Peter Bankes

Arsenal fans generally view Peter Bankes's appointments with optimism, as the Gunners have enjoyed a successful run of results with him in charge. In his 14 previous games officiating Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side has secured 10 victories, drawing once and losing three times. This high win percentage suggests a level of comfort for the North London side when Bankes is the arbiter. His most recent outing with Arsenal was the emphatic 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby in February 2026, where his management of the game was largely praised.

Interestingly, Bankes has shown relative restraint when booking Arsenal players. He has issued 13 yellow cards to Gunners in total, and no Arsenal player has ever been sent off by the 43-year-old official. For a team that relies on technical fluidness and high-possession play, a referee who allows the game to flow while keeping a lid on reckless challenges is often preferred. However, Arsenal’s history with Bankes is not entirely without blemish, particularly regarding the support staff in the VAR room during past encounters.

Manchester City’s Record Under Peter Bankes

Manchester City's statistics under Peter Bankes present a more balanced picture compared to Arsenal’s. In the 12 matches Bankes has refereed for the Citizens, the club has won six, drawn one, and lost five. While a 50% win rate is lower than City’s usual standard, it is worth noting that Bankes has often been assigned to their more difficult away fixtures or high-stakes home clashes against fellow top-four contenders. This season, City have won two of their three matches with Bankes, including victories over Leeds United, but suffered a home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Like Arsenal, Manchester City has avoided seeing any of their players sent off by Bankes. He has handed out 14 yellow cards to City players across his 12 games. Guardiola’s side, known for their tactical fouling to prevent counter-attacks, will need to be cautious if Bankes decides to strictly enforce persistent infringement. One notable match under Bankes was City’s 5-1 loss to Arsenal in February 2025, where the official was criticized by the City camp for not awarding a penalty for a challenge on Erling Haaland and for a handball shout that was dismissed after a brief review.

Past Controversies: The Lee Mason Incident

When discussing Peter Bankes and Arsenal, the 1-1 draw against Brentford in February 2023 is frequently cited. While Bankes was the referee on the pitch, that match became a flashpoint for VAR controversy. Christian Norgaard’s equalizer for Brentford was allowed to stand despite an offside in the build-up. It was later revealed that VAR official Lee Mason had failed to draw the offside lines correctly, a "significant human error" that eventually led to Mason leaving the PGMOL.

While Bankes was not the primary official responsible for that specific error, the incident remains a sore spot for Arsenal supporters who feel that officiating mistakes have cost them vital points in previous title races. This history adds a layer of scrutiny to John Brooks's role as the VAR for the 2026 final. Both clubs will be demanding absolute precision from the Stockley Park crew to avoid a repeat of such high-profile blunders in a match where there is no opportunity to make up for lost points.

Official Role	Name
Match Referee	Peter Bankes
Video Assistant Referee (VAR)	John Brooks

John Brooks as VAR: Impact and History

John Brooks’s role in the VAR booth is arguably as significant as Bankes’s role on the pitch. Brooks has been the primary VAR for nine Premier League games this season. His involvement in Arsenal matches this term includes their 2-0 win over West Ham and a 2-1 victory over Chelsea. In the latter, Brooks was central to the decision-making process that saw Chelsea's Pedro Neto sent off for two bookable offenses, a decision that was ultimately upheld and deemed correct by the independent review panel.

For Manchester City, Brooks was the VAR during their recent 2-1 win at Liverpool. That game featured a controversial "killjoy" moment where City had a late third goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up. Furthermore, Brooks oversaw the incident where Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai received a red card for a pull on Haaland. City fans have expressed mixed feelings about Brooks, acknowledging his accuracy but noting that his interventions often seem to disrupt the momentum of high-tempo matches. His ability to communicate effectively with Bankes at Wembley will be crucial to the game's integrity.

New VAR Technology: In-Stadium Announcements

A unique aspect of the 2026 EFL Cup final is the potential use of in-stadium VAR announcements. Following successful trials in international competitions like the Women's World Cup, the EFL is participating in a pilot program where referees will explain the final outcome of a VAR review over the stadium's public address system. This move is aimed at improving transparency for fans inside Wembley who are often left in the dark during lengthy review processes.

Peter Bankes will be expected to provide clear, concise explanations for any decisions that are changed or upheld following a trip to the pitchside monitor. This includes subjective calls like red cards or penalties, as well as factual matters like offsides. For a rivalry as intense as Arsenal vs. Manchester City, this added layer of communication could help de-escalate tension among supporters, provided the decisions themselves are viewed as consistent and fair. It marks a significant step forward for the English game's integration of technology.

Conclusion

The appointment of Peter Bankes and John Brooks for the 2026 EFL Cup final brings together two of the PGMOL's most active and trusted officials. While Bankes’s history suggests a slight statistical favor toward Arsenal in terms of win percentage, his high card count and Manchester City’s recent frustrations with VAR mean that neither side can afford to be complacent. As Arsenal seeks to end their trophy drought and Manchester City aims to continue their domestic dominance, the performance of the officiating crew will be under the microscope. In a game of marginal gains, a single whistle or a VAR line could be the difference between lifting the trophy and leaving Wembley empty-handed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is the referee for the 2026 EFL Cup final? Peter Bankes has been appointed as the match referee.
• Who is the VAR for Arsenal vs. Man City? John Brooks will serve as the Video Assistant Referee.
• Has Peter Bankes ever officiated a major cup final? No, the 2026 Carabao Cup final is his first major cup final appointment.
• What is Arsenal's record with Peter Bankes? Arsenal has won 10, drawn 1, and lost 3 of the 14 matches he has officiated.
• What is Manchester City's record with Peter Bankes? Manchester City has won 6, drawn 1, and lost 5 of the 12 matches he has officiated.

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