The video assistant referee (VAR) assigned to Sheffield United’s upcoming match against Burnley faces heightened scrutiny following criticism of several decisions during Wolves’ recent defeat at Fulham.
Gary O’Neil’s team lost 3-2 at Craven Cottage, with Willian’s stoppage-time penalty preventing Wolves from securing a point in the capital.
Stuart Attwell, overseeing the game at Stockley Park, instructed on-field referee Michael Salisbury to review initial penalty appeals that were initially dismissed when Harry Wilson went down under Joao Gomes’ challenge in the box.
After Salisbury examined the footage, he awarded a penalty – the third in the game. O’Neil expressed the belief that his team suffered from four unfavourable decisions throughout the match.
Attwell will serve as the VAR for United’s upcoming visit to Turf Moor this weekend, with Leigh Doughty fulfilling fourth official duties. Doughty previously officiated United’s FA Cup tie against Wrexham last season, a match that resulted in then-United skipper Billy Sharp being fined by the FA for comments about Doughty’s performance.
In that game, Doughty awarded two penalties to Wrexham and did not give United what Heckingbottom considered the most obvious of three penalties.
Heckingbottom said Doughty had “done his best to get himself on Disney+ with some of his decision making”, in reference to Wrexham’s documentary.
