Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs charged with misconduct by FA after he confronted match officials following John Stones’ controversial goal in defeat by Man City

Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for an incident following their loss to Manchester City on Sunday,

Wolves were unhappy that John Stones‘ injury-time winner was allowed to stand following a VAR check.

The defender’s header was awarded by referee Chris Kavanagh, after initially being disallowed because Bernardo Silva was standing in an offside position.

The FA confirmed on Monday that they’d already written to head coach Gary O’Neil to ask for his observations following his controversial comments about officials after the match.

Hobbs confronted the match officials in the tunnel after the full-time whistle in the loss to City and Kavanagh included the incident in his report.

Wolves were unhappy that John Stones’ injury-time winner was allowed to stand

An FA statement read: ‘Matt Hobbs allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive words towards the match official/s around the tunnel area after the final whistle. He has until Monday, 28 October to respond.’

Hobb’s charge comes after Gary O’Neil was asked to explain his remarks following the last-gasp loss to 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. 

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?

‘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?

Gary O’Neil was asked to explain his remarks following the last-gasp loss to City

‘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.