4 Times Fantasy Premier League Was Unfair

Following Solanke's voided points, we take a trip down memory lane

It’s official.

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has confirmed that all points between Bournemouth vs Luton Town in Gameweek 17 are voided.

The decision is a result of the game being abandoned after an on-field medical emergency involving Luton’s skipper Tom Lockyer.

The fixture will be replayed later in the season.

Let’s be honest, all this means is that the managers who took a punt on Solanke aren’t getting their points. And there’s been a big reaction on social media to FPL’s decision.

But it wasn’t the first time that managers have felt hard done by. We’ve searched far and wide to find other examples of when this has happened before.

Alexander Isak vs Everton - 2022/23

Alexander Isak running in the penalty box

Newcastle's Alexander Isak was 'robbed' of an assist after his magical run which led to a goal against Everton in the 2022/23 season.

Isak produced a solo run which began at the halfway line to set Jacob Murphy up for a tap-in.

After weaving through most of the Everton team his pass took a slight deflection off Everton defender James Tarkowski rendering his assist void.

FPL managers pointed to the Premier League rules which only added confusion to the decision not to award Isak with the assist.

"Assists can also be given when touches or attempted tackles from opponents deflect the ball in off the goalscorer. The scorer of the goal has to be the clear intended target for the pass and the assessment of whether the ball would have reached the scorer without the defensive touch must be made."

We think this one was harsh…

Solly March vs Leeds - 2022/23

Brighton celebrating a goal

Brighton’s Solly March scored a goal against Leeds for Brighton in the 2022/23 season which was originally considered an own-goal.

After the FPL gameweek deadline closed, the Dubious Goals Panel - yes, that’s a real panel - confirmed the goal should be attributed to March.

The FPL managers who had the midfielder in their team were never awarded the points.

The reason? Because FPL does not change points awarded to FPL assets one hour after the final whistle of the last match of a gameweek.

Only in “exceptional” circumstances are points adjusted one hour after the last match of a gameweek.

Hmmm… seems a little inconsistent, right?

Luis Suarez vs Manchester United - 2013/14

Liverpool won 3-0 away at Old Trafford. Luis Suarez scored and assisted in the match against Manchester United.

Premier League website annoucing the result of Luis Suarez's assist

Suarez was not originally awarded an assist for his cross which hit the hand of a Manchester United defender and led to Liverpool’s first penalty of the game.

This is because Opta, the company that provides data to FPL, did not accurately register Suarez’s assist. It was an error from the data provider.

But, in this case, FPL awarded the points after the gameweek ended because they deemed the circumstance exceptional.

Wayne Rooney vs Arsenal - 2011/12

During Manchester United’s infamous 8-2 win versus Arsenal, Wayne Rooney was awarded points for a cross which deflected off of two opposition players before it reached the goalscorer, Ashley Young.

This was the first season that assists could be awarded after a deflection.

Confirmation of Wayne Rooney's assist points awarded

The problem is that the new rule was implemented incorrectly. It stated that a player was awarded an assist if the ball deflected off of one player, and was intended to reach the goal scorer.

In this case, Rooney’s cross was cleared by two Arsenal players. The second clearance landed at the feet of Ashley Young who scored a shot outside the box to make it 2-0.

Interestingly, the points were not awarded immediately but eventually, FPL granted Rooney the assist.

The decision to retrospectively award Rooney an assist was controversial.