PGMOL issued an apology to Wolves following the contentious penalty decision against Manchester United.
BirminghamLive has the latest Wolves news, with referee Simon Hooper failing to give Gary O’Neil’s team a penalty in stoppage time at Old Trafford.
Gary O’Neil, manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, claims he got an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after his club was denied a penalty against Manchester United.
Wolves were beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford, but the outcome may have been different if a penalty had been awarded in the 96th minute. United goalkeeper Andre Onana clashed with Sasa Kalajdzic, but no penalty was awarded by referee Simon Hooper.
The ruling, according to Video Assistant Referee Michael Salisbury, was not a clear and evident mistake. “Jon Moss (manager of the Premier League’s elite group of officials) said it was a blatant penalty and should have been given – fair play to him, he apologized,” O’Neil remarked after the game.
“I spent a lot of time with him today trying to understand the new rules and trying not to get booked in the first game, which I failed at.” But credit to Jon for coming out and stating it was a blatant and apparent error – he couldn’t believe the on-field referee didn’t call it and couldn’t believe VAR didn’t interfere.
“Actually, it probably made me feel worse, because you know you’re right.” I feel more worse about going empty-handed. I was informed live that they didn’t believe it was a clear and apparent error.”
PGMOL chairman Howard Webb is also said to have called Wolves officials after the game to apologize for the error.
When asked if he was afraid that Hooper might go to the monitor, United manager Erik ten Hag responded, “It can always happen.” “VAR considered it and decided not to give; of course, we are pleased.” I don’t feel obligated to respond to [O’Neil’s] interpretation.
“It’s about the referee and the VAR. I think the two players from Wolves come together and Andre didn’t interfere [with] the action from both of them, first is the pouch of the ball from Dawson and then came Andre.”
Despite the defeat, Wolves came away with 23 attempts at goal, while United registered 15. It was the most attempts by a visiting side at Old Trafford in the Premier League since November 2005. “It was a tough game and the start is always difficult in a season for every team,” Ten Hag admitted.
“We can be much better on the ball, we’ve proven last season and also in pre season, but you see pre-season is not the season, when the league starts opponents are more aggressive. Wolves were very aggressive but our skills could be better in decision-making and when we were in a battle we weren’t aggressive enough.”
