Chelsea are looking to overturn a first-leg defeat to Arsenal in Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final decider, but the appointed referee has already sent off two of their players this season.
The EFL have confirmed the officials for the League Cup semi-final matches this week, with Arsenal playing in the second leg against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Peter Bankes will referee the contest, assisted by Edward Smart and Blake Antrobus. Thomas Bramall is the fourth official.
VAR is in operation as well, and James Bell will be in charge of the system assisted by Daniel Robathan.
Chelsea fans might not be overjoyed at the sight of Bankes refereeing, given he’s already sent off Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella in their defeats to Manchester United and Fulham respectively this season.
But this is hardly a problem unique to Bankes. Chelsea have easily the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League this season, sitting bottom of the Fair Play table with 77 points.
More points is worse, and Chelsea are 10 ahead of their nearest competitor in ill-discipline (Tottenham Hotspur).
Arsenal don’t have particularly fond memories of Bankes this season either. The only match he’s taken involving the Gunners was the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, and his yellow card to Riccardo Calafiori that day saw the defender suspended for a game.
The one positive omen is that Bankes’ previous two League Cup games involving the Gunners were both Arsenal wins. With any luck, Tuesday will bring a third and confirm a trip to Wembley.