15th August, 2023
The officials for last night’s game between Manchester United and Wolves on Monday Night Football have been dropped for next weekend.
Referee Simon Hooper, video assistant ref Michael Sailsbury and assistant VAR Richard West were not selected for a Premier League game in the second round of fixtures.
It comes after PGMOL and the officials were forced to apologise after not awarding Wolves a penalty late in the game at Old Trafford.
Wolves were denied late penalty at Old Trafford as VAR refuses to intervene after Man Utd goalkeeper Andre Onana collided with Sasa Kalajdzic.
PGMOL’s Jon Moss had to apologise for decision not to award penalty.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Wolves coach Gary O’Neil confirmed he received an apology from Jon Moss, manager of the Premier League’s elite group of officials.
“We have just spoken to Jon Moss and fair play to him for coming straight out and apologising and saying it was a blatant penalty and should have been given,” he said.
“I spent the afternoon with him [on Monday], gave up a lot of my day and preparation around trying to understand the new guidelines and trying not to get myself booked on my first game with the new guidelines, which I failed in.
“Fair play to Jon for saying it was a clear and obvious error and he cannot believe that the on-field ref did not give it, cannot believe that VAR didn’t intervene.
“It probably made me feel worse actually because once you know you are right you feel worse about leaving with nothing.”