Man Utd v Wolves aftermath: Simon Hooper, two other officials dropped after avoidable error

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 15/08/2023

Referee Simon Hooper and the video assistant referees (VARs) who took charge of Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Monday have been dropped from officiating in the next round of Premier League fixtures.

This comes after the officials failed to award a late penalty in the game.

Simon Hooper has been dropped from next weekend’s Premier League round of fixtures (Image: The Sun)

PGMOL, the body regulating refereeing games in England, has dropped referee Simon Hooper. VAR Michael Salisbury and Assistant VAR Richard West are also dropped for this weekend’s matches.

These officials failed to award Wolves a penalty after Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana collided with striker Sasa Kalajdzic.

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The two players clashed in United’s penalty area in second-half added time while Onana was attempting to claim a cross.

Referee Hooper looked away before the incident was checked by VAR. However, Hooper was not instructed to consult the pitch side monitor.

Andre Onana clashed with Sasa Kalajdzic (in front of Dawson) in Manchester United’s league clash with Wolves on Monday. (Image: Stretty News)

“… it was blatant penalty”

Meanwhile, Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil was also shown a yellow card for protesting the incident on the sidelines.

After the game, O’Neil said former Premier League referee Jon Moss — now the Select Group 1 Manager at PGMOL — had admitted the decision not to award the penalty was incorrect.

“I was told live that they didn’t think it was a clear and obvious error but having just spoken to Jonathan Moss — and fair play to him for coming straight out — he apologised and said it was blatant penalty and should have been given,” O’Neil said.

Simon Hooper, who is now dropped from officiating next weekend, cautions Wolves manager Gary O’Neill after the incident. (Image: The Independent)

“Fair play to Jonathan for coming out and saying it was clear and obvious error; he can’t believe the on-field referee didn’t give it and he can’t believe VAR didn’t intervene.”

The Red Devils secured the 1-0 victory after French defender Raphael Varane scored a second-half header. The match was O’Neil’s first in charge of Wolves. The 40-year-old has been appointed head coach at Molineux just five days before the game, replacing former gaffer Julen Lopetegui.