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‘Brave’ debut referee Hallam made right decision – Shearer
Officiating your Premier League debut at Manchester City presents a significant challenge for any referee.
However, 32-year-old Farai Hallam, a former professional footballer with Stevenage, garnered widespread acclaim for his performance during City’s 2-0 victory over Wolves at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
In the first half, with the home side leading 1-0, Wolves’ Omar Marmoush believed his side should have been awarded a penalty following an apparent handball by Wanderers defender Yerson Mosquera inside the penalty area.
Referee Hallam initially dismissed the appeals, but was subsequently instructed by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Such a referral often presages a change of decision, and City fans were seemingly anticipating a penalty award.
However, after reviewing the replays, Hallam surprised many within the stadium by adhering to his original decision.
“After review, the ball hits the arm of the Wolves player, which is in a natural position, so the on-field decision will remain,” he announced over the public address system.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann affirmed that it was “without doubt the correct decision”.
“Hallam, in his first Premier League match, made an excellent and courageous call to stick with his on-field decision of no handball,” Cann told BBC Sport.
“This was without doubt the correct decision as Yerson Mosquera’s arm was in a justifiable position and the ball was played on to his arm from very close range.
“A brave and correct decision in law from a highly regarded referee making his Premier League debut.”
‘Special player’ Marmoush shows Man City options without Haaland
Hallam only made his English Football League (EFL) debut in 2023, taking charge of his first Championship match – between Norwich and Bristol City – in November 2024.
His ascent through the football officiating ranks has been rapid.
As a young player, he aspired to a professional career, spending two years in Stevenage’s academy from the age of 16 before his release in 2012.
He transitioned to refereeing within two years.
“It’s that grey zone, and I think good on Farai Hallam,” former Brighton and Crystal Palace forward Glenn Murray said on Final Score.
“On his debut, when one of his decisions has been questioned by the people inside the VAR hub, for him to have the confidence to stick to his decision needs praise.”
Numerous BBC Sport readers also voiced their support for Hallam’s performance:
Kev: Brave but good refereeing. Especially at their ground. Well played ref.
Caroline: City fan but well done ref, about time they started to stand up to VAR. Wish more refs would do that!
Andrew: Outstanding from a ref on his Premier League debut. Would have been easy to give in to pressure, being sent to the monitor like that, especially at City’s home ground, but he stuck with his decision. It would have been incredibly harsh to give it.
Mike: I don’t even care if it’s the right decision, well done to the ref at City for making his OWN decision after being sent to the monitor by VAR. Whether you agree or not with the decision, it’s his job to make it. I’m a City fan.
The two managers held contrasting opinions on the correctness of the decision.
“I thought his arm was in a natural position and it was really close,” said Wolves boss Rob Edwards. “Fair play to Farai in his first game to make that call.
“I think it was the right call. My concern is the VAR have made him check it and just wasted four or five minutes.”
City manager Pep Guardiola, however, expressed less approval.
“The referee made a huge debut, now everybody will know him,” he said in his post-match news conference. “I think it’s the first time they go to the TV and disallowed what is a ‘normal’ position of the arms.
“I’m pretty sure [Premier League referees’ boss] Howard Webb tomorrow is going to appear in the media to explain why it’s not a penalty and what he did against [Manchester] United, like it was the first time he had done it because there was a little bit of doubt.
“That’s why Jeremy [Doku] could not play in Norway – for the action from [Diogo] Dalot. But it’s OK. I’m waiting tomorrow. Don’t wait for Wednesday – we have Champions League, we are busy – Howard Webb, come tomorrow and explain why it’s not a penalty.”
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