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.

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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