Danny Murphy has slammed the decision to award a penalty against Wolves in yesterday’s draw with Luton Town.
Wanderers could only take a point against the newly promoted side at Kenilworth Road.
Luton took the game to Wolves from the start, and Wanderers couldn’t really fashion any chances.
Things were made even more difficult when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde got sent off for a kick out on Tom Lockyer.
But a moment of brilliance from the superb Pedro Neto put Wolves in front.
Wolves then defended well, but there was huge controversy when Joao Gomes was deemed to have handled the ball in the area.
And last night on Match of the Day, pundit Murphy slammed the decision…
Danny Murphy slams penalty decision award against Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes in Luton draw
The controversy over this decision stems from the fact that the ball ricocheted off Gomes’ foot and onto his outstretched arm.
Having his say on this incident, Murphy expressed his frustration with the officials.
He said: “It’s saying something when I think it’s probably the worst decision I’ve seen so far this season.
“Gary O’Neil and the Wolves players should be being apologised to. We shouldn’t be getting excuses as to why they’ve given this.
“I think people are getting confused on the different amount of rules regarding handball. So mitigating circumstances, close proximity. I think we can all say there, he’s close enough for it to be not a penalty. Second thing, change of trajectory. If the ball changes trajectory when it hits one part of the body to go towards the hand, then it’s not a penalty, we can see that clearly.
“Has he played the ball there deliberately, from his calf to his hand, no!
“The other thing that’s a bit bewildering is why, OK the ref’s not seen it, it’s quick, I get it. Why the VAR hasn’t asked him to go and have a look at this. You’ve only got to understand football to know that’s not a penalty.”
Wolves stung by another joke decision against Luton
This was yet another farcical decision that has gone against Wolves.
It is truly incredible to consider just how many bad calls the club has been stung by in 2023.
That’s two already now this season, following the shocking decision not to give Wolves a penalty at Old Trafford after Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic.
Quite simply, the official on VAR must be dropped for next weekend.
That will not be a consolation for Wolves, but some kind of action must be taken after such incompetence.