Referee Farai Hallam will make his Premier League return in Matchweek 26, less than a month after his debut performance ignited widespread debate and earned professional acclaim for his steadfast decision-making.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has appointed Hallam to oversee Crystal Palace’s home fixture against Burnley at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, February 11, according to the match official list published by the league.
Hallam’s initial appointment in January saw the 32-year-old former Stevenage academy defender become the first referee of the 2025/26 season to confirm his own on-field decision not to award a penalty after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
The incident occurred during Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers when City forward Omar Marmoush’s attempted cross struck the arm of Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera.
Despite being called to the pitchside monitor by VAR Darren England, Hallam, after a lengthy review, announced to the Etihad Stadium crowd, “After review, the ball hits the arm of the Wolves player, which is in a natural position, so the on-field decision will remain”.
The bold call, on his very first top-flight match, drew immediate praise from former officials and pundits. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann described it as “an excellent and courageous call” and “without doubt the correct decision,” citing the close proximity and the defender’s justifiable arm position.
Chris Foy, a retired Premier League referee, commended Hallam’s mature approach. “What I really liked was that Hallam, even though it was his first Premier League game, took his time,” Foy wrote, highlighting the official’s composure.
This support underscores a professional consensus that Hallam correctly applied the league’s higher threshold for handball offenses.
However, the decision was met with frustration from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who publicly questioned the ruling and noted he was “waiting for a phone call” from PGMOL chief Howard Webb for an explanation.
Following his debut, Hallam was not selected for Matchweek 25 duties, a standard practice by PGMOL for debutant referees as part of a phased integration into the top flight.
During that time, he took charge of a Championship fixture between Stoke City and Southampton, where he again demonstrated firm judgment by booking Southampton’s Finn Azaz for simulation instead of awarding a penalty.
His swift return to the Premier League for a midweek fixture at Selhurst Park signals the governing body’s confidence in his abilities. His journey to this point is unique; a former aspiring professional footballer, Hallam once spoke about how his background provides an advantage in officiating.
“Coming from a playing background gives you such an advantage. You know how to talk to players, you’re probably better at looking for things that some referees may not look for and your decision making is automatically instinctive,” he explained a decade ago.
Hallam’s appointment to Crystal Palace vs. Burnley places him back in the spotlight for a crucial relegation-battle fixture, offering a significant test of his burgeoning Premier League career.
His return demonstrates that a debut defined by controversy and conviction can pave the way for further opportunities at the highest level of English football.