Fans fume at ‘genuinely unbelievable’ decision to award Fulham’s first penalty against Wolves… slamming the ‘absolutely AWFUL officiating’ as Gary O’Neil questions the point of VAR

• Fulham beat Wolves 3-2 in a controversial Premier League clash on Monday
• Wolves were on the wrong end of another tight VAR decision which cost them 
• Pressure is easing on Man United boss Erik ten Hag: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

Fans took to social media in droves to slam the ‘absolutely awful officiating’ during Fulham’s 3-2 win over Wolves on Monday.

Match referee Michael Salisbury awarded three penalties during the controversial Premier League clash, prompting Wolves manager Gary O’Neil to claim that his side were seven points worse off this season because of poor VAR decisions.

Salisbury admitted to O’Neil after the match that Nelson Semedo’s challenge on Tom Cairney, which brought about Fulham’s first penalty, should have been overturned by VAR.

PGMOL representatives also confirmed to Wolves that Fulham’s Carlos Vinicius and Tim Ream should have been sent off, with the former for a headbutt and the latter for a foul in the box. 

Football supporters swarmed on social media during and after the match to slam officiating standards, particularly in relation to the Cottagers’ first penalty.

VAR decided not to overturn Nelson Semedo’s foul in the penalty box on Fulham’s Tom Cairney

Football fans fumed at the decision in the wake of the controversial league clash on Monday

‘This was given as a penalty for Fulham against Wolves this evening – after VAR had checked it about a million times. Genuinely unbelievable,’ one fan posted alongside a clip of the incident.

A second supporter said: ‘In what land is this a penalty. It’s actually mental. Wins the ball for starters – and he doesn’t even touch the man after. Absolutely awful officiating.’

A third simply added: ‘Football is ruined…’ 

Expanding on that idea, a fourth supporter said: ‘They want to extend it to free-kicks? Yellow cards? Etc? Focus on getting this right first. 

‘And not just this one incident, the many that are called every week incorrectly. We can’t seriously be asking referees for more VAR related conclusions if they struggle to get these right. 

‘It’s unfair on the fans who have to wait longer, players who have to play longer, and referees who will no doubt make more mistakes. The decision making at the moment is ridiculous.’

There was a VAR delay for Fulham’s first spot-kick but the on-field decision of penalty stood

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil believes VAR did not help the on-field official Michael Salisbury

‘The people behind VAR should be jailed. In real time it can look like a penalty but what is the point of having replays, slow motion & several angles,’ another added.

Wolves stars Mario Lemina and and Matheus Cunha also posted in response to their side’s misfortunes after the 3-2 defeat. 

Taking to Instagram, Lemina posted on his story: ‘I’ve always tried to understand that to referee, it’s not easy at all, I’ve always tried to say to the players that we could do better during the game to win it.

‘But now I give up. Enough is enough. Some strong decisions need to be taken. These things are ruining football.’

Cunha posted: ‘Tough result but we continue together. We will never look for excuses outside, but some decisions against us have to bear greater responsibility.

‘We are tired of hearing excuses the next day. We will never look for excuses outside, but some decisions against us have to bear greater responsibility. We are tired of hearing excuses the next day. You harm the work of several families.’

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Some supporters believe that VAR was correct not to overturn Salisbury’s on-field decision

Wolves have found themselves on the wrong end of a series of penalty decisions this season

According to the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel, Wolves have already been incorrectly on the wrong end of key refereeing and VAR decisions against Man Utd, Newcastle, Luton and Sheffield United. 

Others fans, however, believes Semedo’s challenge was indeed a penalty.

One supporter said: ‘It’s a pen, wins the ball Cairney then controls it and he brings him down for the pen.’

Another simply added: ‘Stonewall pen that!’ 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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