Following his comments about referee bias towards big clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil has been called by the highest football authority in England, the Football Association (FA) to a panel to explain his comments.
Wolves hosted Manchester City in week 8 of the 2024/2025 Premier League season and almost sealed a result until a late John Stones goal gave the defending champions the three points. The game was riddled with refereeing inconsistencies but the dagger to the heart was Stones’ goal which is currently being debated for its validity.
After the match, a miffed O’Neil said: “There’s no chance people are purposely against Wolves, let’s be clear. But is there something in the subconscious around the decision making – without even knowing it are you more likely to give it to Man City than Wolves?”
“My senses are heightened when we are facing Man City, are the officials the same? When it’s [Erling] Haaland and Man City is there something in there that, not on purpose, influences decision making?”
“They guarantee me there isn’t. But they are human and Man City scoring a last-minute winner is a big thing, a bigger thing than Wolves scoring a last-minute goal against West Ham.”
“If I had to upset someone in the street and there’s a big and little guy in the street, I’m upsetting the little guy.”
Meanwhile, it has been revealed by the PGMOL that the goal which won the tie for Pep Guardiola’s side was first disallowed by the on-field referee before VAR called for a review which led to the goal being given.
Referee Chris Kavanagh ignored a foul in the goal for a per wives offside which VAR revealed to be a wrong call before choosing to let the goal stand. O’Neil cited the case of Max Kilman’s goal from last season which occurred in similar circumstances to buttress his earlier comments.
“The reason we were given [for Kilman’s goal] was that Tawanda Chirewa was in such close proximity to the goalkeeper that he did have an impact on him. Bernardo Silva is probably less than a yard away from Jose Sa,” O’Neil said.
“The same argument could be made, but I am sure they will tell us it was the right call and everyone got it right.”
The comments have reached the ears of the top brass of English football, who have now called the manager to explain his comments. If he fails to give a satisfactory answer, he could face punishment which could range from a touchline ban to a monetary fine.
