The Most Blatant Corruption in Football History?
You simply had to be there to understand the level of favoritism received by City week in and week out during the 2021/22 season. We all remember it.
Introduction: A Title Decided by a Single Point
The 2021/22 Premier League title race will forever be remembered for its razor-thin margin. Just one point separated first and second place. In a sport where a single decision can make or break a season, every controversial call, every penalty given—or not given—mattered. Many fans remain convinced that Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, benefited from a string of questionable refereeing calls and VAR interventions (or lack thereof) that shaped the outcome of the entire campaign. Below, we dive into the most striking examples.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City (2-1 to City)
Gabriel sees RED for Jesus running into him
- Moment: Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães was sent off after tangling with Gabriel Jesus. Replays suggested minimal contact initiated by the defender.
- Controversy: The on-field referee did not hesitate to show a second yellow, effectively ruining Arsenal’s numerical balance.
VAR Does NOT Check for a Penalty on Ødegaard
- Moment: Just earlier, Martin Ødegaard went down in the box, and it appeared there was a clear case for a penalty.
- Controversy: VAR did not intervene to recommend a review, leaving Arsenal fans enraged.
VAR DOES Check and CREATES a Penalty on Bernardo Silva
- Moment: Soon after the ignored Ødegaard incident, Bernardo Silva went down in Arsenal’s box with arguably less contact.
- Controversy: This time, VAR intervened thoroughly and awarded City a penalty, turning the match on its head.
We begin with this absolute travesty of a game.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
Gabriel sees RED for Jesus running into him.
VAR does NOT check for a penalty on Ødegaard.
VAR does check thoroughly and CREATES a penalty on Bernardo Silva.
Man City 2-1 Arsenal. +3 points to City. pic.twitter.com/eakL2dM4r5
End Result: Manchester City claimed all three points from a chaotic encounter. In a title race settled by a single point, this was massive.
Manchester City vs. Wolves (1-0 to City)
Penalty Awarded After Extensive VAR Check
- Moment: A contentious handball or foul resulted in yet another penalty for City, continuing a pattern of calls going their way.
- Controversy: The consensus remains that the decision was extremely harsh on Wolves.
Against Wolves, VAR continues this theme of EXTENSIVE checks to create penalties for City
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
To this day, no one understand this decision.
Man City 1-0 Wolves. Again, all 3 points to City. pic.twitter.com/6jmNd53xvS
Raul Jimenez Sent Off in the First Half
- Moment: Jimenez received two yellow cards within just 31 seconds, the first of which was for a challenge where he appeared to win the ball.
- Controversy: Wolves found themselves reduced to 10 men under puzzling circumstances, gifting City a significant advantage.
In that same game, Raul Jimenez was sent off in the first half against City for two yellow card offences within 31 seconds.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
The first of which he was given for WINNING the ball. pic.twitter.com/b3GshMCSIy
End Result: Manchester City walked away with another three points.
West Ham vs. Liverpool (3-2 to West Ham)
VAR Fails to Intervene on a Dangerous Challenge
- Moment: A critical challenge on Alisson Becker led to West Ham’s opening goal, which arguably should have been chalked off for a foul.
- Controversy: The VAR check was over in a flash, and the challenge was deemed legal.
And while City seemed to receive favourable red card calls willy nilly
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
VAR failed to intervene on this challenge on their title rivals. After a ridiculous quick check, the challenge was cleared. No red card.
West Ham 3-2 Liverpool. -3 points to LFC. pic.twitter.com/mGIIvofJgX
Impact: Liverpool dropped three points—points they desperately needed in a title race where even a single draw could have been decisive.
Newcastle vs. Manchester City (0-4 to City)
Potential Penalty for Newcastle Ignored
- Moment: At 0-0, Newcastle had a strong penalty appeal. Dermot Gallagher later agreed it should have been reviewed and likely awarded.
- Controversy: VAR did not recommend a review. The game remained scoreless.
VAR Later Awards a Goal to City
- Outcome: Manchester City subsequently scored and never looked back. They took all +3 points in a match that started out very even-handed.
Then against Newscastle, referee Dermot Gallagher agreed this SHOULD have been reviewed and awarded a penalty.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
VAR as usual fails to intervene
The scoreline was 0-0 at St. James Park. VAR later go on to award City a goal.
City claim all +3 points. pic.twitter.com/Mi0AnDtBdQ
Liverpool vs. Brighton (2-2)
Robert Sanchez’s Horror Challenge on Luis Díaz
- Moment: Brighton’s goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, clattered into Luis Díaz in what looked like a clear red-card offense.
- Controversy: VAR took a brief look but decided against any further action.
According to Referee Dermot Gallagher this also SHOULD have been a red card.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
VAR does NOT check for a red card to Robert Sanchez for this horrific challenge on Luis Diaz.
Remember, one point decided the title.
Liverpool 2-2 Brighton. -2 points to LFC. pic.twitter.com/s5ei8AxM7A
End Result: A match Liverpool could have won if Brighton were down to 10 men. Instead, the Reds dropped two points. In a race lost by a single point, every decision was crucial.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool (2-2)
Penalty Shout Ignored on Jota
- Moment: Diogo Jota was brought down in Spurs’ penalty area, with most neutrals arguing it was a clear foul.
- Controversy: VAR did not intervene, no spot-kick was given.
VAR doesn't check this penalty on Jota.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool. -2 points to LFC. pic.twitter.com/gr198TrBVy
Kane Escapes Red, Robertson Sees Red
- Moment: Harry Kane’s reckless lunge on Andy Robertson looked every bit a sending-off, yet no red card was shown. Later, Robertson received a red for a less dangerous challenge.
- Controversy: Uneven application of VAR left Liverpool again feeling hard done by.
In this same game, VAR doesn't check the red card for a completely reckless Kane challenge, yet does check Robertson's and send Liverpool down to 10 men.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool. Liverpool lose the league by one point. pic.twitter.com/S0zTkgerkX
Points Dropped: A draw meant two more points lost—again, in a title race decided by just one.
Manchester City’s Continued VAR Generosity
Laporte’s Tussle & Walker’s Challenge vs. Southampton
- Moment: Aymeric Laporte went down in a routine tussle. No on-field referee view, yet City benefit from a stoppage or free-kick.
- Bigger Incident: Later, Kyle Walker’s challenge on Adam Armstrong, initially deemed a penalty and red card on the field, was overturned by VAR.
- Controversy: The referee’s original call was never shown to be a “clear and obvious error.” And yet, VAR still reversed it, allowing City to keep 11 players on the pitch in a crucial moment of the match.
And while their title rivals struggled to receive the most blatant of decisions, Manchester City continued to benefit from VAR generosity.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
Laporte goes down in a tussle that occurs in 90% of Premier League matches. Referee doesn't even see it. pic.twitter.com/aqtwRq8Fje
Then in the 62nd minute against Southampton, it was 0-0 as Armstrong went through on goal before being brought down by Walker.
— 🥷🏼™ (@UTDNosa1) January 25, 2025
The on-field decision is a penalty and red card.
Despite no clear and obvious error from the on-field referee, VAR… pic.twitter.com/Cu0FsmfFRX
Conclusion: “One Point Decided the Title—Remember That”
From questionable red cards to non-penalties, the 2021/22 Premier League season was rife with controversy. Of course, all teams experience a slice of misfortune or benefit during a long campaign, but the consistency with which Manchester City found themselves on the right end of decisions—even while direct title rivals suffered opposing fortunes—was hard to ignore.
When a single point decides a title, every incident matters. The examples above aren’t just random disgruntled-fan conspiracy theories: they’re documented match-defining calls that undeniably had an impact on the final league table. For a large section of Premier League supporters, the narrative remains clear—the 2021/22 title stands out as one of the most suspiciously officiated in modern football history.
Whether you believe this was a grand conspiracy or simply an egregious run of poor officiating, one thing is certain: the 2021/22 season will never be forgotten.
What do you think—was it just bad luck for the chasers, or did City enjoy special protection from referees and VAR? Sound off in the comments below.
