No Penalty, VAR Still Debating Marmoush’s Call Against Wolves

VAR Review and a Contested Penalty Call

The Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers clash, part of the 23rd round of the English Premier League, featured a refereeing moment that sparked debate.

In the 35th minute, with City ahead, Egyptian Omar Marmoush attempted to dribble past Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera inside the box.

Although the ball struck Mosquera’s arm, Marmoush escaped and fired a low shot to the far corner, but it struck the post.

The Egyptian international argued that the referee ignored a handball and demanded a penalty.

Moments later, the match paused for a VAR review before the official watched the incident on screen.

After he heeded VAR's call, the official returned, stood by his decision, and City did not win a penalty.

The Premier League's official match-arbiter account on X said the penalty was not awarded because the arm was in a natural position and there was no deliberate touch.

Credit: Getty Images.

Punchline: If VAR were a sniper, it would miss the target and still claim close enough.

Punchline: The ref's stopwatch has more replays than my last vacation—timed to perfection.