Wolves chairman Jeff Shi demands the Premier League to review the use of VAR and slams the current standard of refereeing.
Max Kilman saw his late equaliser ruled out after a video review in the 99th minute of stoppage time, a decision which left boss Gary O’Neil and his players in disbelief.
O’Neil confronted the officials after the final whistle and branded the call ‘possibly the worst I have ever seen’.
Now Jeff Shi has pleaded with decision-makers to address the concerns and wants action.
Chairman Jeff Shi has reacted to yesterday’s defeat and the controversial decision that overshadowed the final moments of the game.
Read in full 👇
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 7, 2024
Just seen the Wolves goal that was written off
Since football has existed, that’s a goal, it’s scandalous that it’s been disallowed
I don’t know how long can we keep seeing and saying the same thing each week honestly, where’s the fun in this shite?
pic.twitter.com/UvwjMwTXiK— 𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢🇧🇪 (@OfficialVizeh) April 6, 2024
Wolves disallowed goal which Gary O’Neil said was possibly the worst decision he’d ever seen. Ref gave it but VAR told him to have a look & ref then disallows it deciding the Wolves player was in Fabianski’s line of vision. Spot on or had one? pic.twitter.com/M4zRWFLfn0
— ⚽🅣🅞🅟🅢🅒🅞🅤🅣⚽️ (@toptargets) April 7, 2024
This is moment VAR determined Chirewa was impeding the view of Kilman’s header.
Why did VAR insist the keeper couldnt see the header & /or was physically impeded, to the extent it was a clear and obvious error that the ref had made in giving it? pic.twitter.com/NVCYTgSdHm
— Simon Williams (@Swilly35) April 6, 2024
STATEMENT:
Chairman Jeff Shi has commended head coach Gary O’Neil and his players for their achievements this season, despite a narrow defeat to West Ham United.
Wolves were denied a late point at Molineux after Maximilian Kilman’s stoppage time equaliser was ruled out for offside when Tawanda Chirewa was controversially judged to have obstructed Lukas Fabianski in the Hammers’ goal.
Despite the disappointment of the result and decision, Shi heaped praise on the team’s efforts across the course of the campaign. However, he urged football’s governing bodies to evaluate what could be done to improve the game for fans and players.
Shi said: “Gary, our coaching team and all the players have done a fantastic job this season that we are all rightly very proud of, especially under the circumstances, with many controversial decisions from match officials affecting the outcome of our games.
“Despite a summer of change and four days of preparation for Gary and his staff, we surpassed last season’s points with eight games to go. If it wasn’t for a number of incorrect or contentious decisions we would be even further up the table.
“For the other challenges, such as injuries to key attacking players and squad depth, the club can always keep learning and progressing every season, but for the standard and consistency of refereeing, it’s something out of our control.
“When a goal is scored and not one person inside the stadium questions the validity of that goal, including both sets of players, coaches, fans and even the match officials themselves, it’s time to question whether someone remote disallowing that goal is really what football wants or needs.
“It is our sincere hope that the Premier League and PGMOL recognise the importance of addressing these concerns to uphold the integrity of the competition and demonstrate why the Premier League is regarded as the best in the world.
“The club will continue to support our players and coaches to keep pushing hard, together with our fans, to take on every remaining game with the passion and determination that has made this team a success, and one that we’re proud to support.”
Fair play to Gary O’Neil for speaking out on this. Not many won’t and fear being fined but the referees cannot keep getting away with this shit every week pic.twitter.com/qOtEPCJbF7
— Adam (@alangston07) April 6, 2024
SEE MORE: Wolves fumes at VAR disallowing late equaliser as Moyes and Fabianski agree bad decision
Here’s how fans reacted as the Wolves chairman demands the Premier League to review the use of VAR and slams the standard of refereeing…
@richierooster69: Come on Jeff & Fosun. Make ya sens wolves legends. And invest in all things. Players, ground etc. we are on the verge of something… again. Don’t let us down…again.
@FarenheitDP9: Well said Jeff 👏🏻 #VAR is a farce and not fit for purpose!! Ruining the game that we all love and feels like premier league use these tools to build the premier league to how the TV companies want the world to view it #CorruptPremierLeague #wwfc 🐺🧡🖤
@jontybird_9: Go on lad. Well written piece imo. Acknowledges seasons difficulties inc somewhat self inflicted but I do think Jeff/Club must be wondering why they bothered with FFP now. A nod to the season being done and dusted but hopefully backing Gary in summer! FFP and VAR 🚮 #wwfc
@JackkkMoon: Finally spoken out about something to do with the club. #wwfc
@wellygoggs: Something I didn’t think I’d be saying…… I agree with Jeff!
@pmiles1989: Well said Jeff. Now paint them bollards
@james_flynn: Didn’t expect the club to come out and say anything. Clear some real anger on refereeing has built up over the last 8 months. The interesting part of this is Shi quietly admitting the squad lacks depth. Whole club appears to be on the same page on this. #wwfc
@WWFCjamess: Jeff’s bang on
@Jamo1072: Extremely well articulated Jeff, and for that matter exactly right 🫡💪
@Michael_Brown88: Spot on Jeff
@afcbbiffer: Bin VAR and let’s get the enjoyment back for those of us attending live games!
@ape_steinUK: That’s talk from a man who is playing close attention to the injustices whilst recognising the efforts of management and players. Nice words from Jeff there.
@kingkevg1: Well said Jeff 👏👏
@Adamjones7479: Well said Jeff. Wolves ay we
@KevinCl24550785: Well said. Absolutely agree. Btw: not a wolves fan, just a concerned fan fearful that adding this extra level of subjectivity is ruining the game. The simple measurement is: If the goal was given, nobody would be talking about it.
@tod1877: fair play, when a club has to issue a statement like this you know that there’s something wrong and since Howard Webb has taken charge of the @FA_PGMOL he’s taken it backwards and his cronies are ruining the matchday experience for fans inside the stadium #WebbOUT
@RickyWh77: Something needs to change. Not one football fan should want VAR anywhere near our game
@TheDowg: Spot on Jeff. Especially the bit about nobody in the stadium would disallow that goal (and many others in too many games, not just Wolves). @FA_PGMOL @premierleague you have to respond. You are killing your own sport. Everyone is telling you. Act now.
@TheWolvesShirt: When the players lost it yesterday then the management joined in I was proud because it was hurting them like the fans in the stand. I wasn’t expecting this from Jeff but he is absolutely spot on. VAR is corrupt, anti Wolves, even Lineker etc are noticing & its time to fight back
@AllEnglandFlags: About time more chairman came out against VAR.
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