Wolves boss Gary O'Neil set to miss Manchester City clash in title boost

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil will be absent from the touchline in the Premier League match with Manchester City after receiving a one-match touchline ban.

The 40-year-old had a fiery outburst at a referee after their 2-1 defeat to West Ham last month, when Wolves saw Max Kilman's late equaliser disallowed by VAR. O'Neil described the outcome as 'possibly the worst decision I've ever seen', earning him an FA fine of £8,000 for improper conduct.

The charge centred on O'Neil's actions towards referee Tony Harrington, who, guided by VAR, suggested a review of the monitor since Wolves' Tawanda Chirewa appeared to be blocking Lukasz Fabianski from an offside position before Kilman netted. O'Neil will be absent from the Wolves' dugout when they meet Premier League title-chasing City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

READ MORE: Man City spending warning highlights problem Premier League clubs seem to be ignoring

ALSO READ: 135 games lost - how Man City's latest title charge is fuelled by injury setbacks

An official FA statement read: "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.

"It was alleged that following the completion of the fixture, his language and/or behaviour in or around the match officials' changing room was improper and/or threatening. Mr O'Neil admitted the charge and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission."

O'Neil admitted that he approached Harrington after the final whistle but the conversation 'didn't go well' due to his heightened emotions over the incident. In the latest episode of 'Match Officials Mic'd Up', referees' chief Howard Webb expressed his belief that the right call was made.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Webb said: "If you stay in that offside position right in front of the goalkeeper, you're going to have an impact. Most goalkeeping people I've spoken to at least expect this to be penalised."