Following Wolves’ controversial defeat to Manchester City, the team’s sporting director, Matt Hobbs, has found himself at the center of escalating tensions with the Football Association. The match, which ended 2-1 in City’s favor due to a disputed goal, saw Hobbs confront the officials post-match, leading to allegations of misconduct.
Referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to allow John Stones’ goal, despite Bernardo Silva’s offside position, irked Wolves, who recalled a similar ruling against them in the prior season. Hobbs’ tunnel altercation with the match officials prompted Kavanagh to detail the incident in his report, triggering the FA’s charge citing improper conduct and potential verbal abuse.
In a statement, the FA addressed the situation, stating Hobbs’ alleged actions after the game against Manchester City, citing misconduct and offensive language towards officials. The sporting director has until a specified date to respond to the charges.
Meanwhile, club boss Gary O’Neil faces scrutiny for implying bias among officials towards top clubs like Manchester City. O’Neil raised questions about subconscious influences on decision-making, suggesting a potential disparity in treatment between Wolves and the more prominent teams in the league. The FA contacted O’Neil for clarification following his comments, probing potential underlying biases affecting match officiating during encounters with elite teams.
