Premier League referees “suspended” after Manchester United victory over Wolves
Raphaël Varane scored the winner at Old Trafford but ref Simon Hooper’s decision not to award Wolves a late penalty incensed boss Gary O’Neil.
Three Premier League match officials, including referee Simon Hooper, have not been allocated fixtures for matchday two next weekend after being at the centre of a hugely controversial penalty incident in Manchester United’s win over Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday.
Raphaël Varane’s second-half header settled a lively clash in which the visitors gave as good, if not more, than they got, although they were furious not have been given the chance to equalise from the penalty spot deep into injury time.
Andre ⛔️nana.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2023
Clean sheet ➕ victory on debut 💪#MUFC || #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/penWCLVsjw
United goalkeeper Onana at centre of Wolves penalty controversry
With the Red Devils hanging onto their slender advantage deep into injury time, new goalkeeper André Onana, who impressed otherwise, raced from his line to attempt to claim a high ball but only succeeded in clattering into Wolves attacker Sasa Kalajdzic.
Most onlookers, not including Onana, agreed that a clear foul had taken place and although Hooper didn’t initially give a spot-kick, it appeared as if he had been called over by VAR Michael Salisbury to take another look at the incident. However, after making his way towards the side of the field, he booked Wolves manager Gary O’Neil for his protests rather than review footage of the coming together.
Elite referees manager Jon Moss told Wolves manager Gary O'Neil that he "could not believe" his side were not given a penalty at Manchester United.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 15, 2023
United keeper Andre Onana crashed into Sasa Kalajdzic and failed to make contact with the ball.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/A5XMh6gMpT
Referees chiefs apologise to Wolves and O’Neil
Klopp pokes fun at Newcastle
After the match, O’Neil revealed that elite referees manager Jon Moss had told him it was a “blatant penalty” and apologised, as did Howard Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), who had contacted Wolves officials.
Hooper, Salisbury and assistant VAR Richard West have not been given a match to officiate next weekend, effectively a suspension as a result of their perceived error.