The officials who presided over Monday night’s match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been excluded from the upcoming weekend’s fixtures.
Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford, with Raphael Varane netting a header in the middle of the second half.
Nonetheless, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil expressed vehement dissatisfaction as his team was not granted a late penalty during injury time.
This incident transpired when United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, collided with Sasa Kalajdzic, failing to make contact with the ball.
And according toSky Sportsreferee Simon Hooper, video assistant referee Michael Sailsbury and assistant VAR Richard West have not been selected for a Premier League game for Matchday 2.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
The officials for last night’s game between Man Utd and Wolves have been dropped for next weekend.
Referee Simon Hooper, video assistant ref Michael Sailsbury and assistant VAR Richard West have not been selected for a Premier League game. ❌ pic.twitter.com/0eY8WmNg3h
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 15, 2023
Indeed, after the United encounter Wolves manager O’Neil claimed elite referees manager Jon Moss told him he “could not believe” his side were not given a penalty at United.
“Jon Moss said it was a blatant penalty and should have been given – fair play to him, he apologised,” said O’Neil.
“I have spent a lot of time with him today to understand the new guidelines, trying not to get myself booked in the first game, which I have failed in.
“But fair play to Jon for coming out and saying it was a clear and obvious error – he couldn’t believe the on-field referee didn’t give it and can’t believe VAR
“It probably made me feel worse, actually, because you know you are right. I feel worse about leaving with nothing. Live, I was told they didn’t think it was a clear and obvious error.”
Moss, who was appointed general manager of England’s elite referees within Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) earlier this year, sought out the Wolves manager between his broadcast and written media obligations.
Moreover, it has been claimed the PGMOL chief Howard Webb also contacted members of the Wolves hierarchy after the game to apologise for the mistake.
VAR official Salisbury was also stood down for a game last season after he did not intervene to award Brighton a penalty in a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham while also acting as the VAR.