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. We're in a goldfish bowl – England on VAR mistake If anyone can talk about the highs and lows of being a referee, it is Darren England. Three years ago, when acting as the video assistant referee (VAR), a blunder in a game between Tottenham and Liverpool stalled his career for months. Luis Diaz scored for Liverpool, but his goal was flagged as offside. In a lapse of concentration, and despite the VAR image showing Diaz was onside, England said "check complete". The goal remained disallowed.

The South Yorkshire official suddenly found not only himself in the full glare of the media, but his family too. "Refereeing is about low points and high points," England tells BBC Sport. "It's a rollercoaster of emotions. "That was a low point. The lowest point, of course." Today, the 40-year-old's career is revived. He is considered one of the most-trusted referees in the Premier League – both on the field and as a VAR. Throughout 2026, England has regularly been given some of English football's biggest matches – including Manchester City's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. "So we flip it," England says, moving the