Wolves boss Gary O’Neil asked by the FA to explain his claims Premier League referees may have an unconscious bias toward big clubs after controversial defeat by Man City

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has been asked to explain his remarks following the last-gasp loss to Manchester City in which he said referees could be operating with unconscious bias towards bigger clubs.

The Football Association have contacted the Molineux club regarding their manager’s comments after John Stones‘ late winner in City’s 2-1 victory.

Stones’ header was eventually awarded following a VAR pitchside review by referee Chris Kavanagh after it had initially been disallowed for offside because Bernardo Silva standing in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa.

O’Neil said after Sunday’s game: ‘There’s no chance people are purposely against Wolves, let’s be clear.

‘But is there something in the subconscious around the decision making – without even knowing it are you more likely to give it to Man City than Wolves?

Wolves fell to a controversial 2-1 defeat by Manchester City after John Stones’ late winner

O’Neil was incensed after the goal was eventually awarded despite an initial offside decision

‘My senses are heightened when we are facing Man City, are the officials the same? When it’s [Erling] Haaland and Man City is there something in there that, not on purpose, influences decision making?

‘They guarantee me there isn’t. But they are human and Man City scoring a last-minute winner is a big thing, a bigger thing than Wolves scoring a last-minute goal against West Ham.

‘If I had to upset someone in the street and there’s a big and little guy in the street, I’m upsetting the little guy.’

The comments have been enough for the FA to determine O’Neil has a case to answer and the Wolves boss could face a punishment if the governing body decide he has overstepped the mark.