Referees apologise for not awarding penalty in Man United win, ref Hooper dropped

A clash between Onana and Sasa Kalajdzic|Imago

FOOTBALL Referees apologise for not awarding penalty in Man United win, ref Hooper dropped

Allan Damba • 11:05 - 15.08.2023

On his debut, goalkepeer Andre Onana, who had an otherwise great game, nearly ruined the night after he appeared to punch Sasa Kalajdzic at the death.

A late penalty scare nearly denied Manchester United all three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their first Premier League match this season on Monday at Old Trafford.

On his debut, goalkepeer Andre Onana, who had an otherwise great game, nearly ruined the night after he appeared to punch Sasa Kalajdzic at the death.

With Erik Ten Hag's men leading 1-0 courtesy of Raphael Varane's 76th minute header, referee Simon Hooper denied the visitors what appeared a clear penalty.

Hooper has since been dropped from the coming week's Premier League fixtures, alon with the entire VAR team that missed the penalty incident.

A clash between Onana and Sasa Kalajdzic|Imago

And after the game, Wolves manager Gary O'Neil said elite referees manager Job Moss admitted to the error.

"Jon Moss said it was a blatant penalty and should have been given - fair play to him, he apologised," O'Neil was quoted by BBC.

"I have spent a lot of time with him today to understand a lot of guidelines, trying not to get myself booked in the first game, which I have failed in."

"But fair play to Job for coming out and saying it was a clear and obvious error - he couldn't believe the on-field referee didn't give it and can't believe VAR didn't intervene."

"It probably made me feel worse, actually, because you know you are right. I feel worse with leaving with nothing."

According to BBC, it's also believed Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) Chief Howard Webb also contacted Wolves officials after the game to apologize.