For the second weekend in a row, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been the subject of discussion among Sky Sports analysts following Gary O’Neil’s team’s contentious decision-making versus Sheffield United. Wolves received a unanimous decision during discussion on Monday morning’s Ref Watch program, which is devoted to holding Premier League referees accountable.
Wanderers were unlucky to hand away a penalty, according to the punditry team, which includes Sue Smith, Stephen Warnock, and Dermot Gallagher, a former English Premier League referee. Although replays suggested there was little contact, Wolves striker Fabio Silva appeared to bundle right-back George Baldock over, awarding Sheffield United a spot kick.
The on-field referee at Bramall Lane on Saturday, Rob Jones, called a penalty on the spur of the moment, but VAR chose not to step in. Baldock even stood up following the foul, but technically there was no clear and evident fault because there was only a small amount of touch. The reason for Wolves manager O’Neil’s rage after the game is evident to Sky’s experts.
Rob Jones, the on-field referee at Bramall Lane on Saturday, arbitrarily called a penalty, but VAR declined to intervene. Even though Baldock got up after the foul, there wasn’t really a clear and obvious error because there wasn’t much contact. Sky’s experts can clearly see why Wolves boss O’Neil was furious after the game.
“Just go back to being a team of officials again,” Warnock remarked in the meantime. Assist your friend! Make the right choice; you’ve made the incorrect one. Dermot is correct; you shouldn’t make a snap decision. The problem here is that he did. The problem is that athletes use extremely shrewd moves as they tumble down.
Smith took the mic last, saying, “You have to feel bad for Gary O’Neil.” It’s another bad choice. As you can see, Fabio Silva tries to clear the ball, but he pulls away with very little contact. You can appreciate Wolves’ irritation there, since a penalty is insufficient.
Although Wolves cannot claim to be the only ones affected, VAR has to reform.
After some thought, Sky Sports analysts believe VAR should change in some way to prevent future conversations along these lines. Gallagher feels Premier League officials ought to wait a little longer before making a call, while Warnock thinks there are situations where common sense should take precedence over the “clear and obvious” guideline.
The refereeing error on Saturday was not the only one the Old Gold have faced this season; in October, Luton Town was awarded a spot-kick after a controversial Joao Gomes handball, and Newcastle United was arguably unfairly handed a penalty. Meanwhile, back in August, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana knocked into two Wanderers players, denying Wolves a penalty of their own.
However, Gallagher says that O’Neil’s side shouldn’t portray themselves as the only ones who are suffering. “Everyone is angry and feels like they are the victims of a poor choice. It’s not Wolves, though. Over the course of the last 11 or 12 weeks, there have been several calls that you believe the referee made incorrectly—and not necessarily for the same club, Gallagher added.
