In the most recent update from BirminghamLive, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have weighed in on the contentious decision made during Wolves’ defeat to Sheffield United. This defeat marked the first time a Premier League team lost to Sheffield United this season, with Oliver Norwood converting a highly debated penalty in the 100th minute at Bramall Lane. Prior to this crucial moment, the match seemed destined for a draw until referee Rob Jones granted the Blades a penalty due to an altercation between Fabio Silva and George Baldock.
Gary O’Neil, who had been critical of referees leading up to the game, was visibly upset by the penalty decision. In his post-match interview, O’Neil expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t have much to say about it except that it was not a penalty.” He further explained that he had spoken with the referee, who defended the decision by citing contact. However, O’Neil reviewed the incident multiple times and found only minimal contact between Fabio’s shinpad and Baldock’s calf. He argued that if such minimal contact resulted in fouls, there would have been countless fouls in the match. O’Neil concluded by firmly asserting that the penalty call was far from clear and should not have been awarded.
Wolves have been on the receiving end of controversial penalty decisions in consecutive Premier League weekends. This season, the Molineux team has had three penalties awarded against them, and Gary O’Neil firmly believes that none of them should have been given.
During their discussion on The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker, host of Match of the Day, pointed out that Gary O’Neil might have more reasons to express his frustration. Lineker highlighted the penalty decision against Sheffield United, acknowledging the opponent’s strong performance but noting that the 100th-minute penalty was almost identical to the one awarded to Newcastle against Wolves the previous week. Lineker explained that both incidents involved a player putting his leg across, planting his foot into the ground, and stopping abruptly, and in both cases, Lineker believed it was nowhere near a valid penalty.
Alan Shearer, Lineker’s co-host on the podcast, echoed these sentiments. He agreed with Lineker and empathized with Gary O’Neil’s frustration. Shearer recognized that O’Neil has been vocal about the poor standard of refereeing due to three costly decisions against his team this season.
