Latest Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as the FA charge Gary O’Neil for his comments after the Hammers’ equaliser was ruled out by VAR.
Gary O’Neil is facing an FA charge for his actions during West Ham’s defeat at Molineux on Saturday.
The Wolves manager gazed on in bewilderment as Max Kilman’s injury-time headed equaliser was ruled out by VAR, causing an angry O’Neil to describe it as “possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen”.
Tawanda Chirewa was deemed to be obstructing Hammers goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski by stepping in front of him in an offside position when Kilman’s shot went in, resulting in a 2-1 defeat for Wolves.
After the game, O’Neil conceded that his statements to referee Tony Harrington could lead to an FA charge, while members of his backroom staff were issued a flurry of yellow cards for contesting the decision.
According to a statement released today by the FA, O’Neil’s “language and/or behaviour in and around the match officials’ changing rooms was inappropriate and/or threatening.” He has until Monday, April 15, to answer to the charges.
When asked if he planned to talk with referees’ boss Howard Webb about the incident after the game, O’Neill replied: “I’m not sure if he’ll want to speak to me. I’m not sure if I’ve disturbed the officials. But, even if he does speak to me, what can I expect unless I request that the game be replayed?
“I’d like to hear their perspectives on it, just to better comprehend it. As in, “Why are you telling me I’m wrong?” Perhaps I won’t have that luxury. The main thing for me is that [VAR] needs to improve.”
VAR has already interfered to deprive Wolves points on many occasions this season, beginning with the opening day match at Old Trafford against Manchester United, for which Webb apologised. Further occurrences have occurred in games involving Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Luton Town, and Sheffield United.
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