Wolves manager Gary O’Neil charged for ‘improper’ behaviour in referee’s dressing room after West Ham clash
WOLVES boss Gary O’Neil has been charged over “improper” behaviour following his side’s controversial defeat to West Ham.
The FA claims he used “improper and/or threatening language and/or behaviour” in the referee’s dressing room after the final whistle.
O’Neil was left fuming after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at Molineux on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead in the 33rd minute before West Ham pulled two goals back in the final 15 minutes.
But Wolves thought they’d rescued a point when Max Kilman fired home in the 99th minute.
The defender’s strike sparked wild celebrations among home fans.
Yet VAR decided to intervene, claiming sub Tawanda Chirewa was offside in front of Hammers No 1 Lukasz Fabianski.
Ref Tony Harrington then went to the screen and axed the goal, leading to huge protests from Wolves’ bench.
Several of O’Neil’s backroom staff were booked on the pitch for remonstrating.
And now the Wolves boss himself has been hit with an FA charge.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER
A statement read: “It’s alleged that following the completion of the fixture, his language and/or behaviour in or around the match officials’ changing rooms was improper and/or threatening.”
O’Neill has until Monday to respond to the charge.
Speaking after the result, the Wolves boss described VAR’s interference as “possibly the worst decision I’ve ever seen.”
He fumed: “I don’t understand it. I can’t think of an explanation. It was possibly one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen.
“I went in to see him for an explanation. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to refrain my feelings when I was in there with him.
“I asked some questions, he didn’t like how I was asking them and we agreed we shouldn’t carry on.
“I don’t know what happens now and whether he’ll report me but the explanation is irrelevant anyway.
“I’m not even sure how many of my staff were booked after the final whistle.
“If that decision is the letter of the law then the law needs to be changed.”
What did David Moyes think?
Gary O'Neill claimed after the match that opposition boss David Moyes agreed with him that the wrong call was made.
This is what the West Ham manager had to say…
“The way football is going, if you don’t get yourself back onside when you’re marking the goalkeeper — by what we’ve seen it looks offside.
“I’m the last person to ask about the goal. We’ve had so many decisions go against us this season.
“Some would make you feel like going into a dark room for a week. So I can understand why Gary’s upset and I feel for him.”