Premier League official Peter Bankes will take control of the Carabao Cup final on Sunday as Arsenal meet Manchester City. The official would not have been permitted to oversee the match had Liverpool been participating, though, while he is also unable to officiate Everton games.
This is due to Bankes' county FA being the Liverpool Football Association. He has never taken charge of a match involving either Liverpool or Everton, be that in the Premier League or in any other major competition.
Bankes will be assisted for the final at Wembley by Neil Davies and Steve Meredith, with Marc Perry designated as a reserve assistant referee. Tom Bramall, who has overseen Arsenal and Manchester City fixtures in the league this season, is the fourth official.
VAR will be in operation for the final at Wembley on Sunday. John Brooks has been appointed as the video assistant referee, with Dan Robathan as his assistant.
Premier League referees are obliged to declare which sides they support, enabling the league to guarantee they don't oversee that side or any fixtures, which can directly impact that side. Sides from their local area or assigned FA are also ruled out, irrespective of whether they support that side.
The latter category clarifies why Bankes is unable to officiate matches involving either Merseyside club. His local FA publicly congratulated him when he was promoted to the Premier League's 'A' List of elite officials for the 2019/20 campaign.
Bankes has overseen 14 Arsenal fixtures throughout his career, including the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea. The Gunners have secured victory in 10 of those encounters, with one draw and three losses.
Manchester City have recorded six victories, one draw and five defeats with Bankes as referee. One of those losses was their 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal last season.
The official hasn't issued a single red card or penalty in those 14 Arsenal fixtures. There was just one dismissal in his 12 City matches, with John Stones sent off when Pep Guardiola's side defeated Aston Villa back in 2021.
Liverpool and Everton both saw their Carabao Cup runs finish long before the final this season. Arne Slot saw a weakened side eliminated by Crystal Palace in the fourth round, while Everton were knocked out one round earlier after a 2-0 reverse away to Wolves.
Buy Blood Red, our monthly Liverpool FC print publication for just £3.50 by clicking here
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
