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#Post#: 100685--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: UmpireIan49
Date: January 24, 2026, 5:30 pm
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I must say, fair play to the debutant referee for sticking with
his original call of no penalty.
We don’t see too much of this sticking with the original call as
the referees like to go with the flow as it were. As for the
decision - yes the arm was out, but the ball hit the back of the
arm. That can hardly be construed as deliberate.
And then quelle surprise - Guardiola shows his usual arrogance
and lack of grace especially where officials are concerned, as
Whistleblower commented, Farai Hallam must have done a good job
if Pep got the hump.
Not sure what the VAR and his second in command were thinking
with the OFR but kudos to Hallam who is getting plenty of praise
from the pundits on Match of the Day to my evident pleasure and
surprise.
We will see more of Farai Hallam in the Prem before the season
is out, he certainly has a lot of promise.
#Post#: 100686--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Boz
Date: January 24, 2026, 7:05 pm
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At first glance, it looked like a handball from my viewpoint at
the game. Mr Hallam was obviously closer to the action and
having seen the incident again on screen, would agree with his
no penalty verdict. While understanding the rationale for not
replaying 'contentious' incidents on the big screen during
matches, it would have been informative here.
Hadn't seen Mr Hallam in action previously during his rise up
the refereeing ladder. It seemed an encouraging PL debut, played
a couple of good advantages and while there were a couple of
times he let things go, which arguably merited a free-kick, kept
control of the game
#Post#: 100691--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Failed Ref
Date: January 25, 2026, 4:26 am
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Sadly the Sunday Times describes the penalty incident in rather
uncomplementary terms emphasising the comments of the City
manager. Farcical was the word used to describe events which is
perhaps arguable given the time it took to reach a final
decision, I.e. stick with the on field decision. Hallam was a
professional player, was his view influenced by his background?
#Post#: 100697--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Leggy
Date: January 25, 2026, 7:14 am
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Firslty, I think this is very much a "referee's call" and I
wonder if the two "experienced" VARs felt the need to help out
their "inexperienced" colleague more than the need to make the
right call?
Secondly, the referee is getting a lot of kudos for sticking
with his onfield decision and not taking the VAR view. Whilst
this may be correct, I also wonder how many of those praising
him are doing so because they are anti-VAR in gerneral and/or
just want to see more VAR interventions overturned? Their
comments / prasie are less about this specific decision and more
about VAR in its wider use?
#Post#: 100699--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Failed Ref
Date: January 25, 2026, 7:26 am
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Andy Davies on ESPN who appears to have replaced Dale Johnson
believes that it was a correct intervention by VAR. Davies was a
premier league official and apparently worked on var.
#Post#: 100701--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Claretman
Date: January 25, 2026, 9:03 am
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--- Quote from: Failed Ref link ---
>
> Andy Davies on ESPN who appears to have replaced Dale Johnson
believes that it was a correct intervention by VAR. Davies was a
premier league official and apparently worked on var.
>
--- End Quote ---
Not the ‘ Andy Davies ‘ who wasnt too popular in this forum ?
#Post#: 100803--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Microscopist
Date: January 26, 2026, 1:00 pm
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HTML https://x.com/propsMCFC/status/2015413140805021830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2015413140805021830%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=
Apart from the penalty there were a couple of other odd
decisions. The clip above shows a corner where Donnarumma seems
to have comfortably kept the ball in play. Both the commentary
on the City webpage and City fans at the match agree that this
decision was given by the referee (some 25 yards away) and there
was no flag by the Assistant referee. (Edited)
The other was a discretionary choice, but one that I have rarely
seen. Doku was fouled, a regular occurrence, firstly as he was
moving forward he was forcibly pushed in the back causing him to
fall forward and then as he fell a boot was planted on his
ankle. A yellow card was issued and Doku was treated on the
pitch. He was then sent to the sidelines and not allowed to
return to the field immediately. Now the treatment was on the
long side and I know referees have discretion on this matter,
but in the circumstances I would regard that as a harsh
decision.
#Post#: 100807--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: El Referee
Date: January 26, 2026, 1:20 pm
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--- Quote from: Microscopist link ---
>
>
HTML https://x.com/propsMCFC/status/2015413140805021830?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2015413140805021830%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=
>
> Apart from the penalty there were a couple of other odd
decisions. The clip above shows a corner where Donnarumma seems
to have comfortably kept the ball in play. Both the commentary
on the City webpage and City fans at the match agree that this
decision was given by the referee (some 25 yards away) and there
was no flag by the Assistant referee. Should have gone to
Specsavers?
>
> The other was a discretionary choice, but one that I have
rarely seen. Doku was fouled, a regular occurrence, firstly as
he was moving forward he was forcibly pushed in the back causing
him to fall forward and then as he fell a boot was planted on
his ankle. A yellow card was issued and Doku was treated on the
pitch. He was then sent to the sidelines and not allowed to
return to the field immediately. Now the treatment was on the
long side and I know referees have discretion on this matter,
but in the circumstances I would regard that as a harsh
decision.
>
--- End Quote ---
Certainly doesn’t look like it has gone out. But it’s hard to
comment on who gives it based on that footage.
Whether Doku can stay on the pitch is down to whether the
treatment was completed by the time the cautioning process was
completed. Based on what you’re saying, it wasn’t. So it was
correct that Doku went off.
#Post#: 100831--------------------------------------------------
Re: Farai Hallam - Manchester City v Wolves
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: January 27, 2026, 6:16 am
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In a long article in today's Times Martin Samuel is very
complimentary about Farai Hallam and very uncomplimentary about
Darren England. " England was messing up Premier League matches
when Hallam hadn't even been promoted to the Championship " The
article concludes, writing of Hallam, " Bravo that man, bravo.
Let's hope he hasn't killed his career ".
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