JEFF SHI MAKES STATEMENT FOLLOWING VAR CONTROVERSY AGAINST WEST HAM
Jeff Shi, the chairman, praised head coach Gary O’Neil and his players for their impressive performance this season, despite a narrow defeat to West Ham United.
Wolves were denied a late equaliser when Maximilian Kilman’s stoppage-time goal was ruled out for offside, with Tawanda Chirewa controversially judged to have obstructed the West Ham goalkeeper, Lukas Fabianski.
Although disappointed with the result and decision, Shi commended the team’s efforts throughout the campaign. However, he urged football’s governing bodies to evaluate ways to improve the game for fans and players.
Shi stated that despite a summer of change and only four days of preparation for Gary and his staff, they surpassed last season’s points tally with eight games remaining. He believes that if not for several incorrect or contentious decisions from officials, they would be higher in the table.
While acknowledging challenges like injuries to key attacking players and squad depth, which the club can learn from and progress each season, Shi emphasized that the standard and consistency of refereeing are beyond their control.
When a goal is scored, and no one inside the stadium questions its validity, including players, coaches, fans, and even the match officials themselves, Shi questioned whether a remote decision to disallow the goal aligns with what football wants or needs.
He expressed sincere hope that the Premier League and PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) recognize the importance of addressing these concerns to uphold the competition’s integrity and demonstrate why the Premier League is regarded as the best in the world.
Shi assured that the club will continue to support their players and coaches, pushing hard alongside their fans to approach every remaining game with the passion and determination that have made this team a success and a source of pride.
wolves chairman, Jeff shi
“Gary, our coaching team and all the players have done a fantastic job this season that we are all rightly very proud of, especially under the circumstances, with many controversial decisions from match officials affecting the outcome of our games.
“Despite a summer of change and four days of preparation for Gary and his staff, we surpassed last season’s points with eight games to go. If it wasn’t for a number of incorrect or contentious decisions we would be even further up the table.
“For the other challenges, such as injuries to key attacking players and squad depth, the club can always keep learning and progressing every season, but for the standard and consistency of refereeing, it’s something out of our control.
“When a goal is scored and not one person inside the stadium questions the validity of that goal, including both sets of players, coaches, fans and even the match officials themselves, it’s time to question whether someone remote disallowing that goal is really what football wants or needs.
“It is our sincere hope that the Premier League and PGMOL recognise the importance of addressing these concerns to uphold the integrity of the competition and demonstrate why the Premier League is regarded as the best in the world.
“The club will continue to support our players and coaches to keep pushing hard, together with our fans, to take on every remaining game with the passion and determination that has made this team a success, and one that we’re proud to support.”