Huge Drama Referee Denied a Penalty and Have a Yellow to Gary O'Neil for Protesting Penalty Decision
- 9 months ago
FURIOUS Gary O’Neil slammed VAR Michael Salisbury after Wolves were robbed of an injury-time penalty.
Debutant Manchester United keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in the box.
But Salisbury chose not to tell ref Simon Hooper to review the pitch side monitor, leaving O’Neil in a rage.
O’Neil, who was booked for protesting, fumed: “The keeper almost took our center forward’s head off.
“But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.
“I thought it was a penalty live and again when I watched the replay.
“If you clatter into an attacker that hard it has to be a foul.
“I am surprised.”
It’s not the first time Salisbury has been at the center of a hugely controversial VAR call.
He was AXED from Prem duties last season after his VAR cock-up in Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs - when he failed to recommend a penalty to the Seagulls - prompted an apology from refs’ chief Howard Webb.
O’Neil added: “It’s a real difficult decision for the on-field refs, so we can’t just leave it to them because they say no.
“I am disappointed we are going home with nothing and then my booking at the end for claiming a penalty.
“I have spoken to the officials about it already.
“If we are all saying it should have been a penalty then he needs to have a look.”
United legend Gary Neville insisted Wolves were robbed.
He declared: “It was a penalty because Onana was nowhere near the ball.
“He was never getting there so he could’ve decided before he jumped.”
Wolves star Matheus Cunha added: “Upset is the word. It was a penalty.”
And fans were left stunned, calling the decision a "robbery".
One said: "Yes, that should be a stonewall penalty after Onana punched Kalajdzic and completely missed the ball!"
Another added: "Genuinely what is the point of VAR? One of the most blatant penalties you will ever see….not given."
One agreed: "Wolves have been robbed of a penalty there, disgraceful."
Another fumed: "How is that not a penalty, Onana has taken out Sasa Kalajdzic.
"If an outfield player does that I’ve no doubt it’s a penalty, think that’s another example of just how protected goalkeepers are.
"Manchester United is extremely fortunate to escape that. That is a baffling decision."
It meant Raphael Varane's second-half winner was enough to separate the sides.
And Gary Lineker couldn't resist a cheeky pun, tweeting: "An opening day 3 points for @ManUtd thanks to VARane."
United boss Erik Ten Hag was relieved the penalty claim went in his favor.
The Dutchman said: “The VAR looked at the incident and it went on our side so we are happy with the points.
“Andre was really brave to come out and I don’t think he influenced the touch from the opponent.”
United won last night’s game at Old Trafford when French defender Varane nodded in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 76th-minute cross from close range.
But the visitors - under new boss O’Neil - managed 23 shots on target - the highest from an away team in a Prem match at Old Trafford since Chelsea’s 25 in Novembe
Debutant Manchester United keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic in the box.
But Salisbury chose not to tell ref Simon Hooper to review the pitch side monitor, leaving O’Neil in a rage.
O’Neil, who was booked for protesting, fumed: “The keeper almost took our center forward’s head off.
“But I am not overly surprised we didn’t get it.
“I thought it was a penalty live and again when I watched the replay.
“If you clatter into an attacker that hard it has to be a foul.
“I am surprised.”
It’s not the first time Salisbury has been at the center of a hugely controversial VAR call.
He was AXED from Prem duties last season after his VAR cock-up in Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Spurs - when he failed to recommend a penalty to the Seagulls - prompted an apology from refs’ chief Howard Webb.
O’Neil added: “It’s a real difficult decision for the on-field refs, so we can’t just leave it to them because they say no.
“I am disappointed we are going home with nothing and then my booking at the end for claiming a penalty.
“I have spoken to the officials about it already.
“If we are all saying it should have been a penalty then he needs to have a look.”
United legend Gary Neville insisted Wolves were robbed.
He declared: “It was a penalty because Onana was nowhere near the ball.
“He was never getting there so he could’ve decided before he jumped.”
Wolves star Matheus Cunha added: “Upset is the word. It was a penalty.”
And fans were left stunned, calling the decision a "robbery".
One said: "Yes, that should be a stonewall penalty after Onana punched Kalajdzic and completely missed the ball!"
Another added: "Genuinely what is the point of VAR? One of the most blatant penalties you will ever see….not given."
One agreed: "Wolves have been robbed of a penalty there, disgraceful."
Another fumed: "How is that not a penalty, Onana has taken out Sasa Kalajdzic.
"If an outfield player does that I’ve no doubt it’s a penalty, think that’s another example of just how protected goalkeepers are.
"Manchester United is extremely fortunate to escape that. That is a baffling decision."
It meant Raphael Varane's second-half winner was enough to separate the sides.
And Gary Lineker couldn't resist a cheeky pun, tweeting: "An opening day 3 points for @ManUtd thanks to VARane."
United boss Erik Ten Hag was relieved the penalty claim went in his favor.
The Dutchman said: “The VAR looked at the incident and it went on our side so we are happy with the points.
“Andre was really brave to come out and I don’t think he influenced the touch from the opponent.”
United won last night’s game at Old Trafford when French defender Varane nodded in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s 76th-minute cross from close range.
But the visitors - under new boss O’Neil - managed 23 shots on target - the highest from an away team in a Prem match at Old Trafford since Chelsea’s 25 in Novembe