Wolves’ anger over the latest video assistant referee controversy has prompted their chairman, Jeff Shi, to question whether the technology is “really what football wants or needs” and urged the referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) to address concerns to “uphold the integrity of the competition”.
Wolves had a stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham on Saturday disallowed because of a controversial call. Max Kilman’s late header was ruled out after the VAR, Tim Robinson, advised the referee, Tony Harrington, to review the goal on the pitch-side monitor. The goal was overturned because the Wolves substitute Tawanda Chirewa was in an offside position and deemed to be clearly obstructing the West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski’s line of vision.
Shi is the latest high profile Premier League figure to speak out in opposition to the use of VAR this season. The Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil, described the decision as “possibly the worst I have ever seen”. Wolves believe several refereeing calls have gone against them this season, costing them points. Howard Webb, the PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer, said they should have been awarded a penalty at Old Trafford in defeat by Manchester United in their first game of the season.
Until now Wolves had kept their counsel publicly but Shi felt compelled to back O’Neil and his squad by criticising the implementation of VAR. Wolves, who visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday, are 11th and pushing for European qualification despite the exit of O’Neil’s predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, on the eve of the season.
“If it wasn’t for a number of incorrect or contentious decisions we would be even further up the table,” Shi said in a statement. “When a goal is scored and not one person inside the stadium questions the validity of that goal, including both sets of players, coaches, fans and even the match officials themselves, it’s time to question whether someone remote disallowing that goal is really what football wants or needs.”
He added: “It is our sincere hope that the Premier League and PGMOL recognise the importance of addressing these concerns to uphold the integrity of the competition and demonstrate why the Premier League is regarded as the best in the world.”
Nottingham Forest have lodged numerous complaints to PGMOL and hired Mark Clattenburg, the former Fifa referee, as a consultant after feeling aggrieved at several decisions. Last November, Mikel Arteta was charged with misconduct after describing as “an absolute disgrace” VAR’s failure to rule out the goal that led to defeat at Newcastle. The charge was found not proven.
