Wolves’ sporting director has been banned for cursing at a referee.
The Football Association has issued Wolverhampton Wanderers sporting director Matt Hobbs a one-match ban and a £4,000 fine for shouting at referee Anthony Taylor.
Hobbs chastised the official after a Premier League tie with Newcastle United at Molineux in October.
In his report, Taylor also stated that Hobbs “sarcastically” stated, “we look forward to your apology again.”
The FA charged Hobbs with wrongdoing earlier this month.
An independent regulatory commission stated in written grounds for its decision that Hobbs swore at Taylor and labeled him “useless” after the game.
Hobbs showed contrition for the incident, which he admitted, according to the panel, but his behavior “clearly fell below the expected standard.”
Hobbs stated that he had grown “increasingly frustrated” with game judgments, which he believed “exacerbated two incorrect decisions earlier in the season.”
When Hwang Hee-chan was adjudged to have fouled Fabian Schar just before halftime, Newcastle was awarded a penalty.
After a lengthy video assistant referee check, referee Taylor pointed to the spot, and Callum Wilson scored to put the Magpies ahead 2-1.
The VAR did not send Taylor to the pitchside monitor to review the event again, and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil labeled the penalty a “scandalous decision.”
He went on to say: “Terrible on-field decision and terrible that VAR did not intervene so, yeah, I thought they got it badly wrong.”
Howard Webb, Premier League refereeing chief, later confirmed that VAR should have been used.
Wolves had been on the wrong end of various rulings earlier in the season, including being denied a penalty away at Manchester United.
Wolves were involved in yet another VAR debate during their 3-2 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday.
O’Neil was enraged once more, claiming that poor refereeing decisions are damaging “reputations” and “livelihoods.”
“Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR,” the 40-year-old said to Sky Sports.
Wolves are 12th in the Premier League league and meet leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday at 15:00 GMT.
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