AliousSunderland are gearing up for a crucial Championship clash against Hull City this weekend, eager to bounce back from their heartbreaking last-minute defeat to Leeds United. That result may have put an end to their title aspirations, but Regis Le Bris’ squad must now refocus to keep their automatic promotion hopes alive.
While many pundits predict a Sunderland victory, all eyes will also be on the man in the middle—referee Farai Hallam—who has found himself at the center of controversy in recent weeks.
Who is officiating Sunderland vs. Hull City?
Farai Hallam will take charge of the match, assisted by Andrew Fox and Blake Antrobus, with Lewis Smith serving as the fourth official. However, Hallam’s limited experience in the Championship and recent criticism from managers could make for an intriguing subplot.
Farai Hallam’s Officiating Record
Hallam has only officiated five Championship matches this season, spending most of his time overseeing League One (six games) and League Two (seven games) fixtures. His stats for the 2024/25 season are as follows:
– **Games officiated:** 18
– **Yellow cards:** 61 (Average: 3.39 per game)
– **Red cards:** 1
– **Penalties awarded:** 2
– **Fouls per game:** 24.56
– **Fouls per tackle:** 0.68
His yellow card average is relatively modest, and he has awarded just two penalties this season—one to Sheffield United against Plymouth Argyle and another to Birmingham City in a win over Rotherham.
Recent Controversies Surrounding Hallam
Hallam’s officiating has been called into question twice in the past month, with two managers blaming his decisions for costly defeats.
**John Mousinho (Portsmouth Manager) – January 2025**
Following Portsmouth’s 3-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers, Mousinho was furious over a denied penalty claim. The Portsmouth boss argued that Hallam’s decision directly affected the outcome, stating:
> “I knew it was a penalty at the time. The assistant saw it, and yet we didn’t get it. I spoke to the referee afterward, and I’m not happy with his explanation. That decision cost us the game.”
**Steve Evans (Rotherham Manager) – February 2025**
Evans was equally unimpressed after Hallam awarded Birmingham City a late penalty in a tight game. The Rotherham boss had even requested an experienced referee before the match, citing the intense atmosphere at St Andrew’s as a potential challenge.
> “It’s not a penalty. I asked for a strong, experienced official, and I’m disappointed. There were 15,000 fans screaming for a penalty, and he gave in to the pressure.”
What This Means for Sunderland vs. Hull
With Hallam’s recent history of controversial decisions, Sunderland fans will be hoping for a fair and drama-free officiating performance at the Stadium of Light. But if a dubious call costs them points, expect the home crowd to make their feelings known.
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