(Reuters) – Gary O’Neil, the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, has always been a proponent of VAR. However, following his team’s 3-2 loss to Fulham, during which they had two penalties given against them, O’Neil has joined the growing number of coaches criticizing the review system. The penalties, both converted by Willian, were awarded after a challenge by Nelson Semedo on Tom Cairney and a late challenge by Joao Gomes on Harry Wilson, which was awarded after a VAR review.
O’Neil expressed his frustration with the system, stating, “I’ve always been for VAR, but I think it’s causing a big problem at the moment.” He went on to add, “Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR when I thought it would help, but it doesn’t.”
Wolves currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League with 15 points from 13 games. O’Neil claimed that “bad refereeing decisions” had cost them an additional seven points. He emphasized the impact of these decisions, saying, “I’m managing a big football club here and the difference that you’re making to my reputation, to the club’s progression up the league, to people’s livelihoods, it’s huge.” He concluded by stating, “It can’t be like this with all the technology and all the time in the biggest league in the world that we’re getting so many wrong. It can’t be ok.”
O’Neil’s criticism of VAR adds him to the list of Premier League managers, including Juergen Klopp of Liverpool, Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur, Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea, and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, who have spoken out against the system. The English referees body PGMOL has acknowledged some mistakes and recommended a more proactive VAR involvement during games. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
