Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been hit with a one-game touchline ban for his conduct at the end of the game with West Ham United last month.
The Molineux boss was left enraged, after Max Kilman had a late equaliser chalked off by VAR. Tawanda Chirewa was stood in front of West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and deemed to be interfering with play.
Kilman’s header found the far corner, and was unsaveable. But VAR intervened, and the goal was then ruled out by referee Tony Harrington. The decision left Ian Wright fuming on Match of the Day that night.
It meant Wolves were condemned to a defeat, and the loss of a point could prove costly in terms of league position.
It was only the latest, in a season that has been littered with controversial decisions. And O’Neil’s frustrations were very understandable against West Ham.
But the FA took a dim view of how he behaved and now, Gary O’Neil will not be on the touchline for the game with Manchester City this weekend.
The 40-year-old has also been slapped with an £8,000 fine.
FA statement as Gary O’Neil receives one-game touchline ban for Wolves
The FA released an official statement yesterday on the matter, which read (via BBC Sport): “Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil has been suspended from the touchline for one match and fined £8,000 following the Premier League fixture against West Ham United on Saturday, 6 April 2024.
“It was alleged that following the completion of the fixture, his language and/or behaviour in or around the match officials’ changing room was improper and/or threatening.
“Mr O’Neil admitted the charge and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.”
Wolves fans blast ‘joke’ decision
As expected, news of the one-game ban for O’Neil has not gone down well with Wolves fans on social media.
For many, this is a completely unfair outcome.
They feel as though the goal from Kilman should have stood, and a lot feel like O’Neil’s reaction at the end of that game was him unleashing all the frustration that has been building throughout the course of the season.
We don’t know what he said, but it just seems incredible that O’Neil has now been punished for, essentially, the shortcomings of the officials this season.
Here’s a selection of comments from Wolves supporters on X, with many blasting the decision: