Liam Duckstein
The FA Cup fifth-round clash between Wrexham and Chelsea will be overseen by experienced Premier League referee Peter Bankes. The match takes place on March 7, 2026, at STōK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground), where the official will be responsible for controlling what could be a high-intensity cup encounter.
Bankes is widely known for his strict but consistent officiating style, and his decisions could play a key role in a game that already carries plenty of anticipation.
Match Officials for Wrexham vs Chelsea
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | Peter Bankes |
| VAR | Paul Howard |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Edward Smart |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Blake Antrobus |
| Fourth Official | Adam Herczeg |
Who Is Peter Bankes? Referee Profile
Peter Bankes is an English professional referee from Merseyside who has been part of the Premier League Select Group 1 officiating team since 2021. His refereeing journey began in 1996 with the Liverpool County Football Association.
Over the years, Bankes steadily progressed through the English football pyramid. He became a full-time referee in the EFL Championship in 2016, joined Select Group 2 shortly after, and was eventually promoted to the top level of English officiating.
In the past 12 months alone, Bankes has officiated 27 matches, including 22 Premier League games, along with appearances in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. He has also served as fourth official in 68 matches during that period.
Refereeing Style and Statistics
Bankes is known for maintaining strict control over matches, particularly when it comes to disciplinary decisions.
| Statistic | Average |
|---|---|
| Yellow Cards Per Match | 4.2 – 4.5 |
| Fouls Per Card | ~5.4 |
| Red Cards Per Match | 0.1 – 0.2 |
These numbers highlight a referee who is not afraid to issue cautions when needed but generally keeps red cards relatively rare. His ability to maintain control without excessive dismissals has made him a trusted official for high-profile fixtures.
During the 2025/26 season, Bankes has officiated several notable Premier League games, including clashes such as Newcastle vs Fulham and Crystal Palace vs Brentford.
Peter Bankes and Wrexham
Bankes has limited experience officiating Wrexham matches but has already handled several of their recent Championship games.
So far this season, he has refereed three Wrexham fixtures with no major controversy.
| Date | Match | Result | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | Wrexham vs Middlesbrough | 2-1 | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Norwich vs Wrexham | 0-0 | 3 |
| 2025/26 Season | Another Championship Fixture | Mixed Results | 4 Avg |
Across those matches, Wrexham recorded one win, one draw and one loss. Interestingly, Bankes did not award any penalties or red cards against the Welsh side in those games.
Peter Bankes and Chelsea
Chelsea are far more familiar with Bankes’ officiating. As of early 2026, he has refereed 15 matches involving the Blues across competitions.
Under his watch, Chelsea have recorded a relatively strong record of seven wins, five draws and three losses.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Burnley | Turf Moor | Chelsea 2-0 | 3 Chelsea yellows |
| Dec 2024 | Brentford | Stamford Bridge | 2-1 | Chelsea win |
| Sep 2024 | Brighton | Stamford Bridge | 4-2 | Chelsea win |
| Apr 2023 | Wolves | Molineux | 1-0 | Chelsea win |
| Jan 2023 | Crystal Palace | Stamford Bridge | 1-0 | Chelsea win |
One notable incident during a Chelsea match under Bankes was the early red card shown to goalkeeper Robert Sanchez against Manchester United in 2025, highlighting the referee’s willingness to make decisive calls in high-pressure situations.
What His Appointment Means for the FA Cup Tie
With Bankes averaging over four yellow cards per match, discipline could become an important factor in this FA Cup showdown. Both teams will need to stay composed, particularly given the intense atmosphere expected at the Racecourse Ground.
His experience in Premier League and cup matches makes him well-equipped to handle a potentially heated contest between an ambitious Wrexham side and a Chelsea team aiming to progress deeper into the competition.