Referee Dropped from Premier League Duty After Guardiola’s Complaints

The Premier League have decided to exclude referee Farai Hallam from this weekend’s matches following Pep Guardiola’s complain.

Hallam, 32, took charge of his first match in the top division of English football when he stepped onto the pitch at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend. Following the game, he made headlines for ignoring the recommendations of VAR when he was called to the pitch-side monitor.

The young referee was told to have another look at an incident which saw City forward Omar Marmoush cut the ball back onto the arm of Yerson Mosquera.

Despite watching the footage, the official chose to keep his original decision of no penalty, insisting the Wolves’ defender’s arm was in a “natural position”.

Referee Farai Hallam checks VAR for a potential handball during Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Hallam said: “After review, the ball hits the arm of the Wolves player, which is in a natural position, so the on-field decision will remain.”

His decision left Guardiola furious. In his post-match media duties, he said: “The player’s arm is out from his body.

“The ref made a huge debut…so now everyone will know him, but it’s OK. It’s the first time they go to a TV and disallowed what is a ‘normal’ position of the arms.”

Pep Guardiola speaks with Referee Farai Hallam after the Premier League match. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Guardiola also seized the moment to aim dig at PGMOL chief Howard Webb, by saying: “I’m waiting for a phone call to explain why it wasn’t a penalty.”

Hallam is now set to sit out of action this weekend. He has not been listed as a referee, assistant, fourth official, VAR or assistant VAR official in any of the games.

PGMOL don’t appoint referees who made their Premier League debuts to officiate in matches in the next round of fixtures. Tom Kirk made his debut as a Premier League referee in early December and didn’t appear on the pitch again in the top-flight until a month later.

Hallam will instead take charge of Stoke City’s televised clash against Southampton in the Championship on Saturday.