Suffolk official Isabel Chaplin part of officiating team for Women’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley

Suffolk’s Isabel Chaplin said it will be ‘an experience like no other’ after being appointed as an assistant referee for this season’s Women’s FA Cup final.

The 24-year-old, who lives near Hadleigh, has been named as part of the of the officiating team for the showpiece clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, which will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 18.

The full team for the final includes Stacey Fullicks (Northamptonshire FA), assistant referees Ceri Williams (Derbyshire FA) and Isabel Chaplin (Suffolk FA), fourth official Megan Wilson (Sheffield & Hallamshire FA) and reserve assistant referee Anastasiya Voloshchuk (London FA).

As with the previous two years, VAR will also be in place for the game, with Peter Bankes (Liverpool FA) and Eddie Smart (Birmingham FA) acting as VAR and AVAR respectively.

Chaplin said: “I was shocked when I received the call but I’m really proud and excited about the occasion.

“The Women’s FA Cup final is definitely one of the highlights of my refereeing journey to date and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m really looking forward to the day - walking out at Wembley in front of thousands of fans will be incredible and an experience like no other!”

This appointment is the latest accolade to come the way of Chaplin, who in January of this year was added to the 2025 FIFA International Assistant Referee List.

Chaplin, who is Women & Girls’ Football Development Officer at Suffolk FA, is now able to officiate at FIFA sanctioned tournaments.

Suffolk FA’s interim chief executive Phil Lawler said: “On behalf of the Suffolk FA Team and of all the Suffolk football community, I would like to congratulate Isabel on her appointment as a match official for this year’s FA Women’s Cup final at Wembley.

“This is a much-deserved reward for all Isabel’s hard work and commitment to her refereeing career. We are all very proud of her achievements and hope she enjoys every moment of this special occasion.”