Controversial Moments in FPL History (2002 - present)

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has been a source of joy, frustration, and heated debates among millions of football fans since its inception in the 2002/03 season. What started as a niche game for Premier League enthusiasts has evolved into a global phenomenon, with over nine million managers participating each year. Over the years, FPL has had its fair share of controversies. From contentious points allocations to game-breaking bugs, these moments have often sparked outrage and left lasting memories in the minds of FPL managers.

This article takes a deep dive into the most controversial moments in FPL history since 2002, offering insights into what caused the uproar, how the FPL community reacted, and the lasting impacts these moments had on the game.

The Birth of FPL and Early Controversies (2002 - 2008)

The early days of Fantasy Premier League were relatively simpler times. The game was more straightforward, and the FPL community was smaller and less vocal than it is today. However, even in these early years, controversies began to emerge.

The Automated Points Miscalculation (2004/05)

One of the first notable controversies in FPL history occurred during the 2004/05 season when a widespread points miscalculation affected thousands of managers. An automated bug in the system wrongly awarded bonus points to players based on incorrect match data, causing outrage among managers who had been disadvantaged. The error was eventually corrected, but a lasting impact had been made. The controversy highlighted the importance of accuracy in the game and the need for efficient backend management.

The Captaincy Rule Change (2005/06)

During the 2005/06 season, FPL introduced the rule that allowed managers to double the points of a selected captain. While now an integral part of the game, at the time, this change was controversial, as many traditionalists felt that it undermined the skill element of the game by making it too reliant on individual player performances. The introduction of the captaincy rule would eventually become a major point of strategy, but its initial reception was divisive.

The Rise of Social Media with FPL (2008 - 2012)

With the rise of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, the FPL community became more interconnected. Managers could now share their frustrations and insights instantly, leading to more vocal reactions to controversial moments.

The “FPL Deadline Day Apocalypse” – Gameweek 1 Site Crash (2011/12)

As FPL grew in popularity, so did the strain on its servers. In the 2011/12 season, the site experienced one of its biggest controversies when it crashed on the morning of Gameweek 1. Thousands of managers were locked out and unable to make final team changes or confirm their captaincy choices before the deadline. This led to widespread frustration, with many managers feeling angry that the crash could affect their entire season.

The backlash from the "FPL Deadline Apocalypse" led to FPL Towers to upgrade their servers and in turn preparing for the rapidly growing influx of managers.

The Impact of Bonus Points System Changes (2012 - 2014)

The Bonus Points System (BPS) has been a consistent source of debate and controversy among FPL managers. The system, designed to reward players for their contributions beyond goals and assists, has often left managers scratching their heads due to its perceived inconsistencies.

The Fall of the “Man in the Stands” (2012/13)

Before the 2012/13 season, the Bonus Points System relied on the subjective judgment of a “man in the stands,” who awarded points to players based on their performance in matches. This system led to frequent controversies, as managers would often question the fairness and transparency of the awarded points.

In the 2012/13 season, FPL decided to replace the “man in the stands” with an algorithm-based system. While this move aimed to make the allocation of bonus points more objective, it wasn’t without its own controversies. The algorithm sometimes favoured defenders for clean sheets and small actions like successful passes, leading to accusations that it didn’t accurately reflect match performances. Managers soon learned to adapt to the new system, but the controversy around bonus points allocation continues to this day.

The Steven Gerrard Hat-Trick Debacle (2013/14)

One of the most notorious incidents involving the Bonus Points System came in the 2013/14 season during Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside Derby. Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick, but despite his heroics, he was awarded fewer bonus points than a defender who had kept a clean sheet.

The decision sparked widespread debate and frustration across the FPL community, with many arguing that the Bonus Points System was broken. Managers believed that scoring a hat-trick should automatically result in the maximum bonus points, but the algorithm seemed to value defensive performances more. FPL responded by tweaking the algorithm, but the incident left a lasting impression on the game.

Pep Roulette and Rotation Headaches (2016 - Present)

One of the most enduring controversies in FPL involves the unpredictable team selections of certain managers, particularly Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola. Known as "Pep Roulette," Guardiola’s habit of rotating key players has caused countless headaches for FPL managers over the years.

The Impact of "Pep Roulette"

"Pep Roulette" became a major talking point during Guardiola's first season, He frequently rotated his squad, often benching star players like Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Sergio Aguero without warning.

This unpredictability made it difficult for FPL managers to trust City assets, as there was always a risk that their chosen player would be benched. The frustration was compounded by the fact that City’s players were among the highest-scoring in the game, making them essential to own but also incredibly risky.

While other managers have also been known to rotate their squads, Guardiola’s rotations have become synonymous with FPL frustration. "Pep Roulette" remains an ongoing challenge for FPL managers, who must weigh the risks and rewards of owning City assets.

The Harry Kane Goal Controversy (2017/18)

One of the more bizarre controversies in FPL history occurred during the 2017/18 season and involved Tottenham Hotspur’s star striker, Harry Kane.

The controversy arose during Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City in April 2018. Christian Eriksen was credited with Tottenham’s second goal, which appeared to come from a cross that evaded the Stoke goalkeeper and went straight into the net. However, after the match, Harry Kane insisted that he had made contact with the ball and that the goal should be credited to him.

Tottenham appealed to the Premier League, and after reviewing the footage, the goal was officially awarded to Kane. This decision sparked outrage among FPL managers, many of whom believed that Kane had not touched the ball and that the goal should have remained with Eriksen.

The "Triple Captain Mane" Disaster (2019/20)

An infamous FPL controversy from a few years ago involved Sadio Mane and the Triple Captain chip, which many managers had activated during Liverpool’s double gameweek in January 2020.

In Double Gameweek 24, Liverpool were set to play two favourable fixtures against Wolves and West Ham, making their players prime candidates for the Triple Captain chip. Many managers opted to place the chip on Sadio Mane, who had been in excellent form leading up to the gameweek.

However, disaster struck when Mane was substituted off with an injury just 33 minutes into Liverpool’s first match against Wolves. He did not feature in the second match against West Ham, leaving managers who had triple-captained him with a paltry score of one point (tripled to three). The Salah Assist Scandal (2019/20)

Another controversy from the same season involved Sadio Mane's former teammate, Mohamed Salah.

The controversy erupted during Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on March 7, 2020. Salah scored Liverpool’s equalizer after receiving a pass from Sadio Mane, who had intercepted a misplaced pass from Bournemouth’s defence. Initially, it appeared that Mane would be credited with the assist.

However, when the points were updated, FPL awarded the assist to Salah himself, claiming that the ball had been deflected by a Bournemouth player before it reached Salah and that decision was final. This sparked outrage among FPL managers, as it apparently contradicted the game’s own rules, which stated that a player cannot assist their own goal unless it’s a rebound, parried shot, or deflected pass from their own initial shot. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2019/20 Season Suspension

The 2019/20 season was also notable for the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of the Premier League in March 2020 created chaos for FPL managers, as matches were postponed indefinitely and the future of the season remained uncertain.

The Suspension of FPL

When the Premier League was suspended in March 2020, FPL also suspended the game, freezing transfers and points until the league resumed. This left managers in limbo, unsure of how to approach their remaining chips and transfers.

The uncertainty surrounding the season’s resumption led to frustration among managers, many of whom had planned their strategies around upcoming double gameweeks and chip usage. The season subsequently resumed in June 2020.

The Impact on Chip Strategies

The suspension of the season also disrupted managers’ plans for using their chips, particularly the Triple Captain, Free Hit, and Bench Boost chips. Many managers had activated their chips in anticipation of double gameweeks that were subsequently postponed, leaving them without the opportunity to maximize their points.

FPL Towers decision to extend Gameweek 30 to cover the remaining fixtures of the season also led to complaints, as it forced managers to adjust their strategies on the fly. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FPL was unprecedented, and it highlighted the challenges of managing a fantasy football game during a global crisis.

The Ever-Present Debate Over Price Changes

Price changes have always been a contentious issue in FPL, as they can significantly impact a manager’s ability to build and maintain their squad. The exact mechanics behind price changes have never been fully transparent, leading to speculation and frustration among managers.

One of the biggest frustrations for FPL managers is the lack of transparency regarding how and when player prices change. While it is generally understood that a player’s price rises when they are heavily transferred in and falls when they are transferred out, the exact thresholds and timing of these changes are not publicly disclosed.

This lack of transparency has led to frustration among managers, particularly when price changes occur unexpectedly or seemingly without justification. Many managers rely on third-party sites that attempt to predict price changes, but these predictions are not always accurate, adding to the uncertainty.

Price changes can have a significant impact on FPL strategy, particularly in the early stages of the season when managers are looking to build team value. A well-timed transfer can lead to a player’s price rising by 0.1 or 0.2 million, providing managers with additional funds to improve their squad.

However, price changes can also be a source of frustration, as players who are transferred out due to injury or poor form may see their price drop rapidly, making it difficult for managers to replace them with a player of equal value.

Conclusion

Fantasy Premier League has always been a game of passion, strategy, and luck. Over the years, controversies have added an extra layer of drama to the game, keeping managers on their toes and sparking debates across the FPL community. Whether it’s a questionable assist, a surprising benching, or an unexpected price change, these moments remind us that FPL is as unpredictable as the sport it’s based on.

As FPL continues to evolve, new controversies will undoubtedly emerge, and managers will continue to navigate the highs and lows of the game. In the end, it’s these controversies that make FPL the thrilling and addictive experience that millions of managers love and cherish every season. For more controversial moments be sure to check out this thread on X: