Football is once again at the center of controversy, and this time the anger and frustration are louder than ever.
FIFA has announced the dismissal of the referees and match officials involved in the highly contentious Manchester City vs Liverpool game, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the football world.
Fans, players, managers, and pundits have all reacted strongly, with many saying the action was long overdue. The match itself was already intense, but what followed has made it one of the most talked-about fixtures of the season.
The turning point came when Ryan Cherki appeared to score a vital goal for Manchester City. The Etihad erupted, City players celebrated, and Pep Guardiola pumped his fists on the touchline. But moments later, joy turned to confusion.
The referee disallowed the goal, citing a foul by Cherki on Dominik Szoboszlai during the buildup. VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the decision. Replays later showed that the contact was minimal, with many experts arguing it shouldn’t have been called a foul at all.
The decision felt even worse because it seemed inconsistent with similar incidents earlier in the season. Fans immediately accused VAR of another major error against Manchester City.
Social media exploded, with supporters claiming City are being treated unfairly and suggesting officials favor Arsenal in the title race. True or not, City fans’ anger was real and intense.
FIFA’s decision to dismiss the officials wasn’t made lightly. After reviewing footage, referee-VAR communication, and post-match reports, FIFA concluded that the decision-making failed to meet the required standards.
In a short but forceful statement, FIFA confirmed the referees would no longer officiate top-level matches until further notice. While FIFA didn’t explicitly admit bias, the punishment sent a strong message.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Manchester City, already under huge pressure on and off the pitch. Just days earlier, they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, a loss that shocked fans and raised questions about the team’s direction.
It wasn’t just the result but how they performed—slow, disconnected, and lacking ideas—that worried everyone at the club.
Under Michael Carrick, Manchester United played with hunger and belief. They pressed City high, disrupted their rhythm, and capitalized on chances when they came.
Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a memorable derby victory, erasing earlier frustrations from the season. For City, it was a humiliating afternoon, leaving Pep Guardiola on the touchline looking helpless.
