Wolves boss Gary O’Neil fumes at referee Josh Smith and VAR for awarding Luton Town a controversial penalty on Saturday afternoon.
Gary O’Neil bemoaned the penalty decision given against his Wolves side in their 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road to give the Hatters their first point in the Premier League.
And it’s fair to say he didn’t hold back with his views, left astonished at what he had just seen as he called the officials out, while also explaining the rules.
Hope Gary O’Neil gave Josh Smith an ear full! @FA_PGMOL is absurdly run #WWFC pic.twitter.com/eyjAzmvMBA
— Chris_Fischer (@ChrisFischer_) September 23, 2023
— Dave (@letsdigit) September 23, 2023
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil to BBC Sport: “I was incredibly disappointed with the start. To lose so many duels is not acceptable. The lads are aware of that. That’s the first time I’ve seen that.
“They delivered in the second half. We should have won the game.
“I can’t get my head around the penalty. I have a lot of experience, I’ve suffered constant negative ones – I was told it wasn’t a penalty last season in Bournemouth’s game with Brentford last season on Jensen becuase it hit his leg and then his hand. I was convinced it wasn’t going to be a penalty, it’s never a penalty. If that’s a penalty we’re in a really bad place.
“The fact it hits his leg and bounces onto his arm is completely different.
On Jeanricner Bellegarde’s red card: “He understands. He’s apologised to the group. We can’t suffer lack of professionalism.”
O’Neil added, as per Sky Sports: “Disappointed with the first 25 minutes. We knew today would be a test of mentality, and being ready. Luton were aggressive, went man for man, and we lost every duel.
“We had to change shape to try get a foothold and eventually saw off a terrible spell. Then we suffer a crazy moment from Jean, which makes it tough from then. To respond and fight until the end, and deserve to win the game, I’m pleased.
“Jean has apologised to the group and is very disappointed. It’s something we can’t have. We need to fix the craziness in the group. You can’t be successful in football matches if you have that. Jean is aware, the players are all aware, because you leave the rest of team exposed.”
Speaking about the penalty decision that allowed Luton a route back into the game, O’Neil said, as per Sky Sports: “Never a penalty. Absolutely terrible decision.
“If that’s a pen we’re in a bad place with the rules. I’ve got the rules that were sent to us on my phone. It hits Joao on the leg first. I forgive the referee, but it hit two body parts before it hits the arm. The rules state it’s not a penalty. We’ve been told the rules. I don’t understand. Hopefully they [referees] can improve the level they are at.”
Gary O’Neil was furious about Luton’s penalty 😡
Does he have a point?#BBCFootball #MOTD pic.twitter.com/yFsGHgjwHd
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 23, 2023
Wolves defender Craig Dawson: “It’s a tough place to come and they put you under a lot of pressure. They’re very good at what they do. Their ground is tight.
“The lads stuck in to the end, credit to the boys.”
On the penalty: “Yeah. It’s a tough call. The referee makes a quick decision and VAR seemed to be even quicker. Hopefully in the future we get a decision our way.
“They obviously know the rules better than me. It touches about three body parts before his arm.”
Luton boss Rob Edwards to BBC Sport: “I’m really proud of everyone connected to the club. We showed what we’re about. The performance was brilliant.
“We were the better team throughout, we completely dominated. Wolves have quality players who can hurt you.
“We showed character to come back into the game.
“We were on the front foot, we were aggressive. We were fast, we completely dominated. We just couldn’t find that little bit of quality. But it’s coming. We were better again today. I’m not saying we should have got something from the game, I’m saying we should have won.
“It shows at this level how hard you have to work, almost perfect to get something from the game.
“Everyone can stop talking about Luton being the only team not to have anything. We’ve got that off our backs.”
Luton boss Rob Edwards to Sky Sports: “I’m incredibly proud. We dominated the whole game. We were the better team with 11 v 11. We were excellent, everything we wanted to be. The red card probably added pressure to us.
“We should have got three points but it is progression. People can stop talking about us being the only team who don’t have anything.
“The first 25 minutes we were electric.
“Full credit to the lads, we had to try to break them down. It was tough. We need to be better in the final third. That’s not just the forward players, it’s everyone.
“The red card was a red card, he’s kicked out. The penalty, it deflects off him and his hands are up. We’ve probably had bigger penalty appeals in the last couple of weeks. I have a bit of sympathy.”
Luton captain Tom Lockyer on the clash that saw Jeanricner Bellegarde sent off: “We’ve had a little bit of a tackle and our legs get caught up together. We were tangled together and he’s decided to kick me. I haven’t made him kick me. That’s on him and not me.”
Luton striker Carlton Morris: “It’s a bittersweet one. It’s taken us time to acclimatise to the Premier League. I think that was our best performance. We deserved more from the game.
“Sometimes things don’t just fall for us. That’s the way the cookie is crumbling at the minute.
“It’s brilliant. The fans keep us going.
“We’re winners in that dressing room, we want to win the games and give these fans more to cheer about. We’ll knuckle down.”
Twitter users had their say as Wolves boss Gary O’Neil fumes at the referee and VAR for awarding Luton a controversial penalty…
@TomJordan21: Not surprised he’s fuming. The inconsistency is a fucking joke. Ref makes shocking call, gets checked by loads more watching on loop on a screen and they STILL cant get it right. IT STINKS!!!
@nigel_b_golf: He’s right. Shocker
@theafcbfanpage: He’s very right on the Jensen decision compared to this one #afcb
@shjbird: Never a pen. Gaffe after gaffe, every week.
@AdamFountain14: I agree with him tbh. Never a penalty. However, something needs to be done about these refs, rules are moving every single game played. It’s just not on. However, do believe this is justice for the pen not given against West Ham
@Wor_Willie: Yes, it was an absurd decision. They basically failed to apply the laws of the game. Ball to hand off a ricochet is completely unintentional and unavoidable.
@MrPauloGoodman: Feel sorry for him as his subs were better today, he’ll quickly work out what’s going on tho. Need a win in either the City or Villa game now to make up for these dropped points
@tuckers2912: Never a pen… said it at the time. Officials just don’t know the rules…..VAR officials need to be sacked!
@seanyr89: too many times these refs are messing it up it’s time to scrap VAR and teach refs properly @FA_PGMOL
@FergusonStuart: He’s correct in what he’s saying. Although it completely detracts from the fact that he’s out of his depth and we should be happy with a point. Absolutely turgid performance again.
@barnsleyarmy: PGMOL apology inbound as per 😴 shambles
Does he have a point??????? Its written in black and white in the rules pic.twitter.com/oM6VZZ8mwc
— 🐺Ad🐺 (@adamhartshorne_) September 23, 2023
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