Wolverhampton Wanderer coach Gary O’Neil was hit with punishment ahead of their Premier League match against the reigning Champions, Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola and his boys will welcome Wolves to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but the visitors will be without the help of their manager at the touchline during the match after he was handed a one-match suspension for his misconduct some few weeks ago.
Gary O’Neil was charged by the FA after he condemned the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for disallowing Wolves equaliser against West Ham United during a league match on the 6th of April. O’Neil during his post-match conference blasted the VAR and described it ‘scandalous’ and ‘horrendous’.
The former Bournemouth manager was on Tuesday handed a one-match touchline ban by the FA and this will be effective against Manchester City this weekend. Therefore, the Assistant Coach Tim Jenkins is expected to take O’Neil’s place in the dugout at the Etihad.
“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,” the statement by the FA read.
“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,” it added.
Undoubtedly, the suspension of O’Neil will be a setback for Wolves on Saturday, but Matt Doherty believes that the visitors can leave Etihad Stadium with on the 3 points.
Matt Doherty Warns Manchester City, Says They’re Determined To Beat Them
The last match between the two clubs ended in a defeat 2-1 for Manchester City and Doherty believes that a similar result which will be a major setback for Pep Guardiola’s men of securing the league title is possible on Saturday.
“We’ve got a whole week to prepare for City. We’ve beaten them already this season, so it’s a game we want to be competitive in and cause a bit of a shock at the top of the league,” He told the club’s website.
While Wolves have nothing special to fight for again in the league, Man City are in Premier League title race with Arsenal. Therefore, Pep Guardiola’s side will be on a mission to secure all the three points.