15th August, 2023
Gary O’Neil revealed that PGMOL’s Jon Moss admitted that Wolves were denied a “blatant penalty” in their 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.
The Wolves boss confirmed that he also received an apology from Moss.
United debutant goalkeeper Andre Onana survived a stoppage-time penalty check after clattering into Sasa Kalajdzic while failing to claim the ball, with O’Neil booked by referee Simon Hooper for his protesting against VAR’s inactivity.
Despite registering 23 shots on goal – the most by an away side at Old Trafford since Chelsea in 2005 – Raphael Varane’s winner 14 minutes from time condemned Wolves to an opening-night defeat.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, O’Neil said he had received an apology but that it was no consolation after his side’s encouraging yet fruitless performance.
“We have just spoken to Jonathan 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 today, 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 Jonathan 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.”