Wolves boss Gary O’Neil asked by the FA to explain his claims Premier League referees may have an unconscious bias toward big clubs after controversial defeat by Man City
- John Stones’ final header saw Manchester City beat Wolves at Molineux
- Gary O’Neil was furious after the goal was conceded despite an initial offside rule
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Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has been asked to explain his comments after the latest defeat to Manchester City, in which he said referees could be operating with unconscious bias against bigger clubs.
The Football Association has contacted Molineux club following their manager’s comments after John Stones’ late winner in City’s 2-1 win.
Stones’ header was ultimately awarded following an on-pitch VAR review by referee Chris Kavanagh, after it was initially ruled out for offside as Bernardo Silva was in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa.
O’Neil said after Sunday’s match: ‘There’s no way people are deliberately against Wolves, let’s be clear.
‘But is there something in the subconscious surrounding decision-making? Are you more likely to unknowingly give it to Man City than to Wolves?
Gary O’Neil has been asked to explain his claim that referees may be biased towards big clubs
Wolves suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat to Manchester City after John Stones’ late winner
O’Neil was furious after the goal was eventually awarded despite an initial offside decision
‘My senses are heightened when we face Manchester City, are the officials the same? When it is [Erling] Haaland and Man City, is there something in there that, not on purpose, influences the decision-making?
‘They guarantee me that is not the case. But they are human and Man City scoring a last-minute winner is something big, something bigger than Wolves scoring a last-minute goal against West Ham.
“If I have to upset someone on the street and there’s a big guy and a little guy on the street, I’m going to upset the little guy.”
The comments were enough for the FA to determine that O’Neil has a case to answer and the Wolves boss could face punishment if the governing body decides he has overstepped his mark.