Wolves manager Gary O’Neill has been handed a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 for his conduct following the 2-1 defeat by West Ham in the Premier League this month.
O’Neill was furious with Max Kilman. 99th minute leveller Twanda Chirewa was sent off for offside and blocking Lucas Fabianski, therefore interfering with play.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Tim Robinson recommended a review, after which referee Tony Harrington disallowed the goal and O’Neil described it as “one of the worst decisions I have ever witnessed”. .
The Football Association (FA) confirmed that O’Neil accepted the charge and will not be allowed in the dugout for 11th-placed Wolves’ trip to title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday. .
An FA statement read: “Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neill has been suspended from the touchline for one match and fined £8,000 following the Premier League match against West Ham United on Saturday, 6 April 2024. has been done
“It was alleged that after the completion of the fixture, his language and/or behavior in or around the match officials’ changing room was inappropriate and/or threatening.
“Mr O’Neill admitted the allegation and was subsequently sanctioned by an independent regulatory commission.”
He was accused of “inappropriate and/or threatening” behavior with the FA in relation to O’Neil’s alleged language. “Around the match officials’ changing room”.
O’Neill said he went to see Harrington after the final whistle but was so angry the official refused to speak to him.
“I wasn’t controlling my emotions well enough to get clarity,” O’Neil said after the game. “The referee said he wasn’t going to discuss how I was doing.
“If you’re an official working at the highest level of the Premier League, I’d be really disappointed if you think it’s offside.
“The only way it can be offside is if it impedes Fabianski’s ability to move or obstructs his vision. Only the referee and VAR think it could possibly be offside.”
However, the Key Match Incidents Panel – a five-man independent committee that reviews ‘key’ decisions made by Premier League referees and VAR after every match. Unanimously agreed With an offside decision by the officials.
Credit : www.bbc.com
