Why the referee went against VAR to NOT give Man City a penalty against Wolves

Drama took center stage at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon as Premier League debutant referee Farai Hallam found himself at the center of a firestorm during a high-stakes league match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In a rare display of independence, Hallam opted to stick to his guns, ignoring the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) recommendation to award the Citizens a first-half penalty.

The incident

The controversy arose in the 34th minute when City’s Omar Marmoush showed a moment of individual brilliance. Marmoush did incredibly well to bring the ball down under pressure in the penalty area, shifting his weight to cut inside before unleashing a powerful strike that crashed off the woodwork.

However, the focus immediately shifted from the near miss to a possible handball in the build-up.

Replays showed that as Marmoush made his move, his shot appeared to hit the outstretched arm of Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera. With the arm seemingly away from the body, VAR intervened and suggested a formal review on the pitch monitor.

The stadium fell silent as Hallam, officiating his first ever game in the top flight, stepped up to the screen. It was a huge moment for the newcomer, as referees rarely uphold their original decision on the pitch after a review has been proposed. But after a careful look at the footage, Hallam believed Mosquera’s arm was in a natural position given his movements.

To the disbelief of the home crowd and the City bench, Hallam waved away the protests and stuck to his initial ‘no penalty’ call.

Published on January 24, 2026