Wolves manager Gary O’Neil handed touchline ban and fine for post-match conduct

Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been hit with a one-match touchline ban and an £8,000 fine for his outburst following his team’s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to West Ham earlier this month. O’Neil was left seething after Max Kilman’s last-minute equalizer was controversially ruled out for offside, leading to a heated confrontation with referee Tony Harrington.

The incident occurred in the dying moments of the game when Tawanda Chirewa was deemed to be obstructing West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, resulting in the goal being disallowed after a VAR review. O’Neil, who described the decision as “one of the worst I’ve ever witnessed,” was unable to contain his frustration and let his emotions get the better of him.

The Football Association (FA) wasted no time in taking action against O’Neil, who admitted to the charge of improper conduct. As a result, he will be forced to watch his side’s upcoming clash against Manchester City from the stands.

In a statement, the FA said: “Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil has been suspended from the touchline for one match and fined £8,000 following the Premier League fixture against West Ham United on Saturday, 6 April 2024.”

Despite O’Neil’s protests, the Key Match Incidents panel upheld the officials’ decision, further adding to the manager’s frustration. With Wolves facing a tough test against title-chasing Manchester City, O’Neil’s absence on the touchline could prove to be a significant blow for his team.

As the dust settles on this controversial incident, all eyes will be on Wolves as they look to bounce back from this setback and secure a positive result against one of the league’s top sides.