Gary O’Neil
Posted inDaily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil on losing game against Manchester United and referee #WOLVESFC

August 16, 2023
O'Neil regularly complained about refereeing decisions during his spell in charge of Cherries, the Dorset club the only team in the Premier League not to be awarded a spot-kick last term. With Wolves 1-0 down to Manchester United on Monday night, Red Devils debutant goalkeeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic deep into time added on, but Simon Hooper did not react and VAR Michael Salisbury deemed there was no foul, with an incredulous O’Neil instead booked for his reaction. The hosts closed out the narrow victory at Old Trafford. O’Neil said after the match he though Onana was trying to take Kalajdzic’s head off, and then revealed he had received an immediately apology from Premier League referees’ boss Moss. “Having just spoken to Jon Moss, fair enough he came straight out and said it was a blatant penalty and it should have been given,” O’Neil said. “I sometimes feel bad. I’ve spent a lot of my day with him trying to understand the new guidelines and how to not get myself booked which I’ve failed in, but fair play to Jon in coming out. “He said it was clear and obvious and he can’t believe the on-field referee didn’t give it and he can’t believe VAR didn’t intervene. It’s probably made me feel worse to be honest because once you know you’re right you feel worse about leaving with nothing.” O'Neil replaced Julen Lopetegui as Wolves boss last week, having been sacked by Cherries in June, with Andoni Iraola appointed.
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil to ‘seek clarity’ on penalty controversy at St Mary’s against Bournemouth #SaintsFC

April 29, 2023
With his side 1-0 up against Southampton, Ryan Christie flashed in a right-footed cross, which struck the outstretched arm of Saints defender Jan Bednarek, from close range. After a brief check from video assistant Andy Madley, the referee in the ground Darren England was not recommended to check the incident and play resumed. Cherries went on to win 1-0, but O’Neil admits he was left baffled by the decision not to award his side a spot-kick. Asked why no penalty was awarded, O’Neil said: “No idea. I don’t see any difference between that and some of the ones we’ve had given against us this year. “His arm is a long way from his body. The ball is going into a dangerous area. I can’t see why. “To have it dismissed so quickly – I remember sitting in our dugout when they go against us for ages waiting, they’re watching eight different camera angles and it’s being played in slow motion. “This one we get maybe an eight-second check and we’re told it’s clear. And then I see the replay and I cannot believe that has not been given as a penalty.” He added: “I was shown the handball quite a lot after the game and I was very surprised. “Not that I think that should be handball, just that it seems so similar to so many we’ve had go against us that I am just struggling to understand it a little bit. “I will seek some clarity on that as well, this week or next week, whenever the guys are available to catch up, try and figure out the differences and also why the check seemed so short on it. “There’s a few things that I need clearing up on that.”
Ruben Selles
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton manager Ruben Selles responds to another bizarre VAR incident #SAINTSFC

April 4, 2023
Play was paused for over four minutes during the eventual 1-0 defeat at London Stadium, as VAR overturned an offside decision for West Ham’s winner. Nayef Aguerd climbed highest to head in from a Thilo Kehrer free-kick but after an on-field offside decision, VAR assessed the call for over four minutes. They eventually determined the goal would stand and Saints never got going again in the capital, after a promising opening 25 minutes in the relegation six-pointer. Speaking after the match that condemned his side to remain bottom of the Premier League, Saints manager Selles was quick to deflect talk from the official’s decisions. Asked if the lengthy delay affected his side’s mentality, Selles responded: “It should not. It should not because this is modern football with the VAR. Could've had a three course meal by the time VAR made a decision pic.twitter.com/XIsmuuALhD — West Ham Unofficial (@WH_Unofficial) April 2, 2023 “We know those situations are coming and we need to be ready for that and in the same way they can be for you and can be against you. “As I understood, I didn't want the goal back, but the referee told me that they were checking different angles because it was not clear that he was onside or offside.” Selles added: "We need to be ready to continue doing the things that we have been doing until that exact moment because they didn't change their approach. “So we need to be strong in those things. And I don't think it was the four minutes, I think it was the goal per se that changed our mentality." Some also suggested that Saints were unlucky for the awarding of the foul in the first place, which saw Duje Caleta-Car punished for the action on Jarrod Bowen. The England international ran into the Croat before going down, with the opposing suggestion being Caleta-Car could not reasonably get out of the way. West Ham players, some stood in offside positions, were then used to block the Saints defenders who travelled towards Aguerd and the crossed delivery. "Not any complaints,” Selles said, however. "We know how it is and we know that the decision was there, we need to defend the situation better and then we need to be able to take those blocks because we expected that. “So it's nothing that is coming new or anything. For me, and I say from the very beginning, referees do their job and sometimes the decision is going to go for you and sometimes it's not. “I don't think that anybody is trying to hurt us or anything. Today was a decision for them. We respect that decision and we will follow it and nothing to say about that."
Roberto De Zerbi
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Roberto De Zerbi welcomes acceptance of referee mistake from Howard Webb #BHAFC

February 18, 2023
Albion’s head coach has again declined to criticise the VAR error which cost his side a goal at Crystal Palace. He said he appreciated Webb fronting up after the mistake by John Brooks which saw Pervis Estupinan’s strike incorrectly ruled out. De Zerbi’s approach when asked about the VAR fall-out at his press conference today was in contrast to that taken by his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, whose side fell foul of a poor decision in their 1-1 draw with Brentford. The Albion boss said: “For me, sincerely it is not a problem. “Referees are human like other people and can make mistakes. “I don’t like if I have to criticise them because it is not my job. I’m sorry for the mistakes, for sure. “I think we lost four or five points, not only Palace but with Aston Villa at home there was a clear, clear, clear penalty. And the same at Leicester. “But it can happen, some mistakes. “At the end of the season, I think the mistakes are not so important in terms of the table because there is a balance of mistakes. “MY problem is my team to play with a quality, a style and to try to win the game, only this.” He added: “Referees are humans, VAR is technology, it is different. We hope football can improve through this technology. “But I don’t want to speak too much about referees. “There are other people who want to take advantage about this. “I don’t like this in Italy, I don’t like this in Ukraine, in the UK the same." Webb was pro-active after a bad day for match officials in the Prem. De Zerbi said: “He is a good guy, he’s an honest person and I appreciate that he showed his face. “When there is a mistake, it’s not easy to show your face. “I told him there is no problem for me, my players, or my club. “We don’t want to put any pressure on referees.” De Zerbi believes VAR should be a tool which improves the game. He said: “It should be better, no? “The technology can and has to help the referee. “At Palace it was like this and we can’t change the result. “Maybe if Pervis’s goal had been allowed, we could still have lost the game. “We don’t know the other possibilities during the game.”
antonio conte happy
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Antonio Conte raging on VAR ahead of trip to Cherries #THFC

October 28, 2022
TOTTENHAM boss Antonio Conte was angry at the decision by VAR to rule out Harry Kane’s stoppage-time strike against Sporting Lisbon and accused the technology of being dishonest against his team. Kane fired home in the fifth minute of added time last night to spark wild celebrations with the hosts believing the effort had sent them through to the last 16 of the Champions League. Dutch official Pol van Boekel, who was in charge of VAR, ruled Kane had been ahead of the ball when Emerson Royal’s header hit Flavio Nazinho and ricocheted into the path of the striker, who smashed in with aplomb to briefly make the score 2-1. Sporting players and staff celebrated the decision to rule out the goal, which meant Marcus Edwards’ first-half strike – cancelled out by Rodrigo Bentancur’s 81st-minute header – left all four teams in Group D with a chance of making the knockout stage going into the last game. “I think there are moments that maybe you can be a bit intelligent to understand you have just disallowed a regular goal because the goal was regular. The ball is in front of Kane,” Conte insisted in his press conference before he walked out after one question. “And then the VAR. I repeat you know I don’t comment on referee decisions but the VAR, this season, I don’t know why between Premier League and Champions League, we are not so lucky. “I don’t know why until now we are also the only team who repeated the penalty and every penalty I go to see, if the keeper move on line, I see a lot of the time. I want to see repetition of a penalty in Premier League. “I think we are not so lucky with VAR but I think they create big damage. I would like to see if this type of decision you can take with a top team, in an important game, yeah I would like to see if VAR is so brave to take this decision. “I repeat this unfair decision because the ball is in front of Kane. Sorry, but I am really upset because sometimes you can accept this situation and sometimes I think it is not good because I don’t see honesty in this type of situation and when I see this I become really, really upset.” Spurs head to Vitality Stadium to face Cherries this weekend, another side who feel hard done by regarding VAR decisions in recent weeks. Speaking after Monday night's 2-0 defeat at West Ham United, interim head coach Gary O'Neil said: "It's getting a little bit ridiculous now as I think we've had about 10 VAR decisions go against us since I took over. “I’m obviously disappointed with the first goal. I thought it was a terrible decision."
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil rages at ‘terrible decision’ leading to West Ham opener #AFCB #Controversy

October 25, 2022
GARY O’NEIL pulled no punches in his assessment of West Ham’s controversial opener during Cherries’ 2-0 defeat and insisted: “I can’t understand how that would be given.” Kurt Zouma’s first goal since November 2021 was allowed to stand by VAR Mike Dean, despite a handball by Thilo Kehrer aiding the Irons to go one goal up at London Stadium. Kehrer scooped Jarrod Bowen’s corner into the air before the ball was headed clear by Chris Mepham, nodded back by Tomas Soucek and eventually over the line via the top of Zouma’s head. The word from Stockley Park was that because the handball was not deliberate, and had not led directly to the goal, it was allowed to stand. Interim boss O’Neil was booked for his protests just before half-time and made his feelings clear to referee David Coote at full-time. He told the Daily Echo: “I’m doing that every game at the minute. In with the referee discussing decisions. “I’m obviously disappointed with the first goal. I thought it was a terrible decision. “The first goal cannot stand. It’s impossible for me that that is a goal. His arm moved towards the ball, it impacted where the ball was going. “I can’t understand how that would be given. Talk about hands in a natural or unnatural position. His hands are in front of his stomach and they move towards the ball in the build-up to the goal. “I also think there was a foul in the build-up to the goal as well. I think, more subtle but I expect it to be looked at. “I went in (to see the referee) to find out about the Jefferson Lerma foul on (Aleksandar) Mitrovic at Fulham. The information I received was that Jefferson Lerma impeded Mitrovic without looking at the ball. “If you watch Flynn Downes in the build-up (on Monday). He affects Marcos Senesi by putting his arm over him while looking in the complete opposite direction of the ball. I expect that to be looked at. “The handball for the first goal, I just can’t even believe we have to discuss it. It’s a handball 100 times out of 100. Really, really surprised.” O’Neil was left further frustrated after Cherries full-back Jordan Zemura was judged to have handled in the box when blocking Vladimir Coufal’s cross in the latter stages, with Said Benrahma converting the penalty for 2-0. Hammers boss David Moyes has complained recently that too many calls were going against his side – but the Scot insisted he had not seen enough of the incidents against Cherries to make a comment. “I’ve genuinely not seen any of the incidents,” he said. “Obviously Bournemouth are disappointed with how it went. But what I would say is our performance merited better goals than we scored.”
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil hopes officials could ‘clear up’ handball calls #AFCB

October 20, 2022
INTERIM boss Gary O’Neil hoped officials could “clear up” what constituted handball, as Cherries had a big penalty shout turned down during their 1-0 defeat against Saints. With the visitors leading through Che Adams’s ninth-minute opener, Junior Stanislas’s cross appeared to strike the hand of Mohammed Salisu inside the box during the second half at Vitality Stadium. Referee John Brooks waved away Cherries’ protests, as they sunk to a first defeat of O’Neil’s interim tenure. Cherries had seen penalties awarded against Lloyd Kelly and Jefferson Lerma of late for similar handballs in the area, during fixtures at Nottingham Forest and Newcastle. Asked about the latest penalty incident which went against his side against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men, O’Neil said: “Struggling to give an answer on it, really. I think the ball hits Lloyd Kelly at Nottingham Forest, that’s a penalty from a similar distance. “Ball hits Jefferson Lerma at Newcastle. It's a penalty. “Tonight, the ball hits their boy, Salisu, and it is not a penalty. So, yeah, a tricky one. I don't know. “Maybe, hopefully the officials can clear up what it is and what it isn't, because I don't see too much difference. “I’m not here to moan about rub of the green and things like that. “But, yeah, if you want to discuss the individual decisions, Ryan Fredericks, the pull on Ryan Fredericks (at Fulham) is a foul, and the ball hit the boy on the hand today.” Defeat left Cherries with 10 points from seven games since O’Neil took charge. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
David Moyes
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- David Moyes blames officials for draw after referee decisions in favor of Saints #WHUFC

October 17, 2022
DAVID Moyes claimed the referee was the reason his side did not get three points at Saints and added his VAR assistant “needs to go to Specsavers”. The Scottish boss was left furious following the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s which saw Declan Rice level following the break, after Romain Perraud’s deflected opener. Moyes felt the Hammers fell foul to two incidents, including the Saints defender’s opening goal. Referee Peter Bankes appeared to obstruct Jarrod Bowen as he looked to intercept a loose ball. “The real reason we didn’t get three points is the referee. The referee gets in the way of our ability to defend as the ball comes out, he blocks Jarrod Bowen from getting it,” Moyes said. “It’s ridiculous, it really is. Wait until you see the angles and then you’ll see how ridiculous it is. “The ball would probably be favoured or a bounce ball but you can’t get in the way and stop somebody getting it, allowing to go on and somebody scores.” However, Moyes was not only left upset by that one decision. He also feels West Ham should have had a penalty for a Perraud pull on midfielder Tomas Soucek in the area. “I asked the referee about it but I spoke to them more about the penalty kick,” the former Manchester United boss added. “Tomas Soucek had a judo move by the player who marked him. “There must be new rules in football where you can grab them right round the waist, hold them and throw them down. The kid throws him right down. “It’s not the referee, it’s VAR. Whoever was on VAR today needs to go to Specsavers. But if it because he doesn’t touch it, Bowen would have to go around the referee. “Maybe you just have to say the referee got himself in a really bad position. Soucek should clear it better but the referee is right in his line.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Gary O’Neil
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Gary O’Neil ‘surprised’ Newcastle were awarded a penalty after VAR call #AFCB #NUFC

September 18, 2022
GARY O'Neil says he was "surprised" to see Jefferson Lerma penalised for handball, insisting: "If I was looking at the VAR images, there's no way I would've given a penalty at that moment." With Cherries leading Newcastle United at St James' Park thanks to Philip Billing's opener, the hosts were given a quick chance to level when Kieran Trippier's cross struck the arm of Jefferson Lerma. Referee Craig Pawson did not initially award a spot-kick, but, after consulting with video assistant Stuart Attwell, went to the pitchside monitor and overturned his decision. Striker Alexander Isak slammed home the penalty, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. It is the second game in succession Cherries have been penalised for a handball in the box, with a VAR review seeing Lloyd Kelly punished during the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest. Asked if he was frustrated by the call against the Magpies, interim boss O'Neil told the Daily Echo: "I don’t know if I’m frustrated. I understand it’s difficult. "That is the perfect situation for VAR, because there is no way the ref could see that live. "So I understand it going to VAR, I’m just really surprised at the conclusion they have come to. Jefferson Lerma has gone to put his body in the way of the ball, his arm swings, as it does when you’re moving. He’s not looking at it. "So I was just surprised. If I was looking at the VAR images, there’s no way I would’ve given a penalty at that moment. "That’s not a criticism at all, it’s just my opinion, I thought it was harsh."
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton’s Hasenhuttl addresses Che Adams handball nightmare during Wolves defeat #SAINTSFC

September 4, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl addressed the Che Adams disallowed goal, insisting: “The only thing I say to him at the moment is he does a fantastic job.” The Austrian had only praise for the 26-year-old Scot, who had a rather unfortunate day in front of goal. Adams thought he drew Saints level during the 1-0 defeat to Wolves, cancelling out Daniel Podence’s opener with a headed tap-in. But the ball hit his hand on its way in from two yards. He also hit the crossbar with a header moments later, still reeling from the earlier disallowed chance, as Saints toiled to a third defeat of the campaign. Asked if he has to speak to Adams to lift him after such a chance, Hasenhuttl responded: “No, the only thing I say to him is at the moment he does a fantastic job. “He is super hard working for us, these moments I think come one time in the year where he has such a situation. “A couple years ago he had against Fulham the same situation, a big chance but handled it before a goal. But it is okay, we will support him and push him and next time he will score the goal for us.” Hasenhuttl continued: “It is not so easy to create chances against this team, they are good organised and very experienced, break the rhythm. “Then we have the situation where Kyle (Walker-Peters) can go and the referee stops the game, breaking the rhythm again. But we still tried it, to be positive, stay positive and go at them. “To the last minute we believed we could turn things around and this is what I want to see from a team, never giving up. “This is how it should be, this time it didn’t work for whatever reasons but when you have always this mentality and hunger we will have success in future games.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more. Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today. Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl charged by FA for post-Chelsea comments #SAINTSFC

October 15, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl has been charged by the FA for comments he made in relation to Mike Dean and the Chelsea contest at Stamford Bridge. The FA statement reads: “Southampton FC’s Ralph Hasenhuttl has been charged with two breaches FA Rule E3 in relation to their Premier League match against Chelsea FC on Saturday 2 October 2021. “It is alleged that comments made by the manager during two post-match interviews constitute improper conduct in that they questioned the integrity of the VAR match official and/or implied bias and/or bring the game into disrepute. “Ralph Hasenhuttl has until Tuesday 19 October 2021 to respond to the charges.” It is thought the comments in question were said in jest by the Saints boss, who said: “You know that when Mike Dean is the VAR, he will send him to have a look at it (the monitor), and then it was okay from me, I think. He gave it." He added: “But this is his job, I don’t want to say it is his fault because I haven’t seen it so far." The comments in question were regarding James Ward-Prowse’s red card, which was initially given as a yellow by the on-field official before VAR recommended a second look. With the scores level at 1-1, Chelsea went on to take advantage of the extra man and took a 3-1 victory. It is unclear how Hasenhuttl will respond to the FA charge at this time.