After another night of poor officiating and VAR controversy in the Liverpool vs Manchester city match, FIFA has now announced disciplinary action against the referee and the VAR officials involved…

Following yet another tumultuous night marked by contentious refereeing and VAR confusion during the Liverpool vs Manchester City match, football fans awoke to startling news: FIFA had allegedly intervened, declaring disciplinary measures against the match referee and the VAR team involved. This decision came after an internal examination of several pivotal incidents that incited outrage among Liverpool players, staff, and millions of fans globally.

For many, this represented a rare instance of accountability.

The match itself was already charged with tension well before the final whistle. Two penalty appeals were dismissed, a clear free kick was overlooked in the second half, and numerous borderline calls consistently went against Liverpool. By the end of the match, both Anfield and social media were in an uproar. Fans were not merely upset — they felt let down by a system that vowed fairness but instead delivered confusion.

Sources close to the review process indicated that FIFA’s involvement followed an influx of “an unusually high volume of formal complaints” from league officials, clubs, and independent refereeing observers. An insider disclosed, “This wasn’t merely fan discontent. Serious technical issues were raised regarding positioning, communication within the VAR room, and the evaluation of key moments.”

Behind closed doors, the atmosphere was reportedly charged.

A source familiar with the matter stated that the referee was summoned for an urgent debrief less than 24 hours after the match. Video clips were scrutinized frame by frame, including the foul in the 66th minute that Liverpool deemed obvious, along with both penalty appeals. The VAR audio was also analyzed, revealing hesitation and disagreement among officials during at least one critical moment.

That detail alone sent shockwaves through the football community.

One senior referee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confessed, “There was no consensus in the VAR booth. One official believed it was a clear foul. Another contended it didn’t meet the necessary threshold. Ultimately, no one wanted to overrule the others.

“That’s where the system failed.”

Liverpool legends were quick to respond.

Jamie Carragher, who had already criticized the referee during the match, reiterated his stance after the disciplinary news was announced. “This is what fans have been asking for,” he stated. “Not perfection — accountability. You can’t keep making the same mistakes in crucial games and expect people to simply move on.”

Jamie Carragher reinforced that idea.

In a message shared with former teammates, Carragher reportedly expressed, “Football belongs to the supporters. When decisions don’t make sense, you erode trust. I’m pleased that someone finally listened.” Those remarks spread quickly online, becoming a rallying cry for frustrated fans across various leagues.

Liverpool players, while cautious with their public statements, made their feelings known.

Van Dijk told reporters, “We don’t want special treatment. We just want consistency. You train all week for moments like that, and when they’re taken away, it hurts.” Another senior player privately remarked, “We were told VAR is there to assist. But in that match, it felt non-existent.”

Perhaps the most telling moment came from within Liverpool’s technical area.

A staff member revealed that during the game, one assistant coach repeatedly inquired with the fourth official about why the penalty hadn’t been awarded. The response was vague: “Play on, minimal contact.” The staff member noted, “Everyone on our bench exchanged glances. We knew right then something was amiss.”

Fans weren’t shocked by FIFA’s decision — many believed it was long overdue.

Social media erupted with reactions ranging from relief to cautious optimism. One supporter commented, “This shouldn’t be rare. This should be standard practice.” Another added, “If it takes this much uproar to prompt action, imagine how many poor decisions go unnoticed every season.”

What exactly does the disciplinary action entail?

Although FIFA has not made complete details public, sources indicate that the referee has been temporarily removed from high-level matches, while the VAR officials involved will be required to undergo retraining and assessment. One insider referred to this as a “serious warning shot” rather than merely a symbolic act.

“This is FIFA indicating, ‘We’re monitoring,'” the insider elaborated.

Further revelations have surfaced regarding how close this issue was to being quietly overlooked. A senior league official reportedly resisted formal disciplinary action, contending that the decisions were a matter of “interpretation.” However, increasing pressure from clubs and independent evaluators seemingly compelled FIFA to take action.

“That’s the aspect people are unaware of,” remarked one insider. “There was pushback. This nearly didn’t occur.”

Even figures from Man City privately recognized the controversy.

A member of their team, speaking anonymously, confessed, “If that had been against us, I’d be upset as well. Some of those decisions were odd.” That discreet acknowledgment quickly circulated back to Liverpool’s locker room, strengthening the belief that the officiating had overstepped.

For numerous fans, this moment carries significant meaning.

Not because it resolves everything — but because it demonstrates that referees are not beyond reproach. One Liverpool supporter outside the stadium succinctly expressed: “We accept losses. We don’t accept silence.”

The discussion surrounding VAR has once again taken the spotlight.

Critics contend that the technology is only as effective as the individuals operating it. Former players have advocated for increased transparency, including the release of VAR audio following matches. Peter Crouch openly endorsed this notion, stating, “Let fans listen to the discussions. If officials are assured in their choices, there’s nothing to conceal.”

As debates unfold across television panels and online discussions, one sentiment continues to resonate: significant matches deserve superior officiating.

Liverpool fans believe this disciplinary measure conveys a clear message — standards are important.

Whether this marks a turning point or just another brief moment of accountability remains to be seen. But for now, fans feel heard.

As one final quote from a Liverpool staff member quietly revealed: “This wasn’t about revenge. It was about respect for the game.”

And at least this time, there were consequences