Man United vs Wolves referee and VAR are AXED by the Premier League for this weekend’s matches after they ‘admitted to glaring penalty error’ which helped United to victory

The officials responsible for failing to award Wolves a blatant penalty against Manchester United have been axed from this weekend’s Premier League schedule.

Referee Simon Hooper, VAR Michael Salisbury and assistant VAR Richard West have all been overlooked for appointments after deciding United goalkeeper Andre Onana had not fouled Saka Kalajdzic despite knocking him to the ground.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said he had received an apology from referees’ chief Jon Moss over the error and the officials involved won’t be in charge of matches this weekend.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb wants officials to take greater accountability for incorrect decisions this season. 

As Wolves pushed for a late equaliser following Raphael Varane’s goal for United, goalkeeper Onana rushed off his line to claim a cross but misjudged the flight of it completely.

Onana wildly missed the ball after looking to collect a cross and clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic – but VAR decided not to award a penalty or urge Simon Hooper to review replays himself

Kalajdzic was seen speaking to officials at the end of the game after he was denied a penalty

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil (right) was shown a yellow card for his reaction to the penalty call

Onana clattered into Wolves forward Kalajdzic, who was jumping for the ball with Craig Dawson, sparking vociferous protests from the away side and their supporters. 

On-field referee Hooper didn’t point to the penalty spot and wasn’t advised to check the incident on the pitchside monitor after replays had been examined by VARs Salisbury and West. United held out for an opening night win. 

A furious O’Neil was booked for his reaction and then detailed his conversation with Moss, who manages the Premier League referees.

‘I’ve spoken to Jon Moss and fair play to him, he apologised, said it was a blatant penalty and that it should have been given,’ said O’Neil. ‘It probably made me feel worse.

‘When you know you were right about something it makes you feel worse about leaving a game with nothing.’ 

Wolves had a number of grievances with officials last season and had at least one apology from referees’ chief Howard Webb. O’Neil added: ‘I don’t think the officials are trying to favour one side. 

‘I just think it’s human nature. If there’s a decision you’re not sure about, everyone would be impacted by the Old Trafford crowd and the fact it’s Manchester United.

‘That’s why I think VAR should be able to help more in those situations. Before I spoke to Jon Moss I was told it was not a clear and obvious error.

‘It looked like the keeper nearly took our centre-forward’s head off. If you go for the ball and clatter the player that hard, it is a penalty.

‘At first I thought the referee was coming over to look at the screen but unfortunately he booked me and not Onana for smashing our centre-forward.

‘I understand the rules [of sticking with the on field decisions as much as possible], but I don’t fully accept it. Hopefully over the season we get our fair share of decisions.’