REVEALED: Why Man City Were Denied a Penalty vs Wolves as VAR Explains Handball Call

Manchester City fans left the Etihad Stadium with another victory to celebrate, but the talking point long before full-time was a first-half refereeing decision that caused loud protests and plenty of debate.

With City already leading Wolves 1-0, referee Farai Hallam decided not to award a penalty after what appeared to be a handball by Yerson Mosquera inside the visitors’ penalty area. The decision, made after a VAR review, has since been explained by the Premier League Match Centre, but it did little to calm the frustration of supporters watching from the stands and at home.

The moment that caused the uproar

The incident came midway through the first half, shortly after Omar Marmoush had given City an early advantage with a composed finish in the sixth minute. Marmoush, who has quickly become a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s side, was again at the centre of the action when he drove into the Wolves box.

Trying to beat his marker, the Egyptian forward flicked the ball back into space. As the ball dropped, it struck the arm of Wolves centre-back Yerson Mosquera. From many angles, it looked like the defender had blocked the ball with his arm inside the area, prompting immediate and loud appeals from City players and fans.

Hallam, officiating his first-ever Premier League match, waved play on. Moments later, he was advised by VAR officials Darren England and Samuel Barrott to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.

VAR review and referee decision

After carefully watching the footage, Hallam chose to stick with his original decision of no penalty. The choice surprised many inside the stadium, especially given the length of time spent reviewing the incident.

Soon after, the Premier League Match Centre issued an official explanation on social media. In a post on X, they confirmed the reasoning behind the call, stating that Mosquera’s arm was judged to be in a “natural position” when the ball made contact. As a result, the on-field decision stood.

#MCIWOL – 35’

After VAR review, the referee retained the on-field decision of no penalty to Manchester City.

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

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) January 24, 2026

In simple terms, the referee believed the defender’s arm position was not unnatural and that there was no deliberate movement towards the ball, which is a key part of current handball guidelines.

Mixed reactions from pundits

The decision was quickly analysed on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, where opinions were split. Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison initially felt Manchester City were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.

As Hallam reviewed the footage, Morrison pointed out that Marmoush had been lively and dangerous throughout the opening stages. He suggested the referee did not need many replays to make a decision, arguing that many viewers would have called it a penalty after just one or two looks.

However, once Hallam confirmed his decision, Morrison acknowledged the difficulty of the call, especially given the referee’s lack of Premier League experience.

Former referee Mike Dean also weighed in, offering a more balanced view. Dean praised Hallam for his positioning and for having the confidence to stick with his original judgement after reviewing the footage multiple times. He explained that while the incident was tight, the combination of arm position and short distance between the players may have influenced the final call.

Dean added that although some officials might have given a penalty, he could understand why Hallam decided otherwise under the current interpretation of the rules.

City respond the best way possible

While the debate rumbled on, Manchester City ensured the decision did not derail their momentum. Pep Guardiola’s side continued to dominate possession and territory, pushing Wolves deeper into their own half.

Just before the break, City found the second goal their performance deserved. Antoine Semenyo, who has made a strong start since arriving from Bournemouth earlier this month, struck in stoppage time to double the lead.

The goal was Semenyo’s third for the club since his £64 million move, following earlier strikes against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup and Exeter City in the FA Cup. His growing confidence is another positive sign for Guardiola as City navigate a demanding run of fixtures.

A learning curve for the referee

For Farai Hallam, the match represented a major milestone in his refereeing career. Making a Premier League debut at the Etihad Stadium, under intense scrutiny and with VAR involved, is never an easy task.

While City fans may feel hard done by, Hallam’s willingness to review the decision and stand by his judgement will likely be viewed positively by officials. It showed confidence, composure, and trust in his interpretation of the rules.

The bigger picture for Manchester City

In the end, the missed penalty decision did not cost Manchester City. The 2-0 victory kept them moving in the right direction and underlined their ability to stay focused despite controversy.

For Wolves, the call went in their favour, but they were ultimately unable to contain City’s quality. For City supporters, the frustration may linger, but the result – and the performance – offered reassurance.

As debates over handball decisions continue across the Premier League, this incident is another reminder of how fine the margins are, and how interpretations can vary even with the help of VAR.