Over the weekend, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer voiced their support for Gary O'Neil following another contentious decision that went against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves suffered an unfortunate defeat as they became the first Premier League team to lose to Sheffield United this season. The turning point came when Oliver Norwood scored a controversial penalty in the 100th minute at Bramall Lane.
The match had seemed destined for a draw until referee Rob Jones awarded the Blades a penalty after a tussle between Fabio Silva and George Baldock.
O'Neil, who had been critical of referees leading up to the game, was understandably incensed by the decision to grant the penalty. In a post-match interview, he stated that he had "given up on referees."
“I don’t really know what to say on it apart from that it’s not a penalty.
“I've spoken to the referee and he says there is contact, but I’ve watched it so many times and there is minimal contact between Fabio’s shinpad and Baldock’s calf. If we are giving fouls for that then there would have been a million fouls in that match today. The referee is quick to give it, but it’s never a clear penalty. There’s no way that’s a penalty kick.” stated the manager.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker expressed his solidarity with O'Neil, underlining the ongoing debate over refereeing decisions in the sport.
“I think perhaps a manager that would have more reason to have a groan would be Gary O’Neil.
“The decision against Sheffield United, good luck to them and they played very well, but the decision that was given in the 100th minute, the penalty, was almost identical to the one that Newcastle got the week before against Wolves. It was exactly the same, the guy thought he saw him and he put his leg across, stumped his foot into the ground and stopped before. It was nowhere near a penalty.”
Shearer, who co-hosts the podcast added: “Agreed. Can you imagine? Gary’s (O’Neil) has had a rant and he’s said that the standard of refereeing is poor and I get it because they have been on the back of what, three awful decisions now which have cost them massively this season. I totally understand his frustrations.”
source - Birmingham Mail / Join us on Telegram!/ Follow us on Twitter!