{"id":2066,"date":"2026-03-22T16:43:32","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T16:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=2066"},"modified":"2026-03-22T16:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T16:43:32","slug":"carabao-cup-final-referee-is-banned-from-officiating-games-involving-arsenal-and-man-city-rival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osport.com.ng\/?p=2066","title":{"rendered":"Carabao Cup final referee is banned from officiating games involving Arsenal and Man City rival"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Carabao Cup final referee wouldn’t have been allowed to take charge of the game if Liverpool were involved. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Arsenal and Manchester City meet in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final in what is the first major piece of silverware on offer this season.<\/p>\n

The result could prove crucial given both teams are in the thick of the Premier League title race.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong>Arsenal and Manchester City make League Cup history before a ball is even kicked in final<\/p>\n

The Wembley Stadium showdown will be officiated by Peter Bankes but he wouldn’t have been allowed to referee the match if Liverpool had reached the final.<\/p>\n

Liverpool are one of two teams Bankes is banned from officiating by the league because of his county FA being the Liverpool Football Association.<\/p>\n

That also means he is barred from overseeing matches involving Liverpool’s cross-city rivals Everton.<\/p>\n

Premier League referees must disclose which teams they support, preventing any bias from matches they take charge of.<\/p>\n

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Peter Bankes took charge of Arsenal vs. Manchester City last season. Image: Getty <\/cite><\/div>\n

Bankes became eligible for the Carabao Cup final after Liverpool were dumped out of the competition by Crystal Palace in the fourth round. Palace ran out 3-0 winners at Anfield in October.<\/p>\n

Even though Bankes will be disappointed Liverpool won’t be in the Carabao Cup final, he has the opportunity to referee a domestic cup final.<\/p>\n

He will be joined by assistants Neil Davies and Steve Meredith, with Marc Perry named as a reserve assistant referee. Tom Bramall is the fourth official.<\/p>\n

VAR is in place for the Carabao Cup final, with John Brooks and Dan Robathanin in the booth.<\/p>\n

This season, Bankes has taken charge of 22 Premier League fixtures and has awarded six penalties and brandished the red card four times.<\/p>\n

He has overseen 14 Arsenal games during his refereeing career, including their Carabao Cup second leg semi-final clash against Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Bankes has taken charge of 12 Man City matches, including their 5-1 defeat to Arsenal last season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Featured Image Credit: Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n

Topics:\u00a0Carabao Cup, Liverpool, Football, Arsenal, Manchester City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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