Darren England has been appointed to officiate Leeds United’s crucial Premier League fixture against Chelsea, following his controversial sending-off of Lucas Paqueta last weekend.
According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Premier League has announced Darren England as the official referee for the forthcoming clash between Leeds United and Chelsea at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.
England will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Akil Howson, with Josh Smith as the fourth official and Paul Howard on VAR duties.
The appointment comes just days after England was at the centre of a major talking point during Liverpool’s 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday. In that fixture, England brandished his first red card of the season in unusual circumstances after West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta was shown two yellow cards for dissent within seconds of one another while his side was 1-0 down.
Sky Sports Co-commentator and former Hammers goalkeeper Rob Green “labelled the reaction ‘ridiculous behaviour’.”
Paqueta, who was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July, later re-posted a snippet from Sky Sports on X, replying: “It’s ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation.
Perhaps this ridiculous behaviour is just a reflection of everything I’ve had to endure and, it seems, have to continue enduring! I’m sorry if I’m not perfect.”
Leeds welcome Enzo Maresca’s Blues looking to bounce back from four consecutive defeats. They sit in the relegation zone, below West Ham on goals scored, while Chelsea, who drew 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday despite going down to 10 men, sit third.
England is yet to referee a Leeds game this season but took charge of Chelsea’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in August.