Wolves star Fabio Silva breaks down in tears after controversial VAR call

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Fabio Silva broke down in tears after giving away a late penalty to Sheffield United on Saturday at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United secured their first Premier League victory of the season at the 11th attempt against Wolves, as Oliver Norwood netted a penalty in the game’s 100th minute.

The spot kick had been awarded after Wolves substitute Silva was deemed to have fouled George Baldock in the box.

And after Norwood smashed home via the woodwork from 12 yards the final whistle blew and Silva broke down in tears.

Silva had given away the penalty after colliding with Baldock in the box.

While the referee pointed to the spot, VAR intervened with replays appearing to show that the Sheffield United full-back was already on his way to the ground at the point of contact.

However, VAR ultimately ruled there was nothing wrong with the referee's on-field decision and the penalty stood.

Earlier in the game, Cameron Archer thundered home a superb effort off the underside of the crossbar to see Sheffield United take the lead.

But Wolves hit back in the 89th minute courtesy of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's deflected shot.

But injury time saw VAR review two penalty decisions. The first - a Mario Lemina handball - was not given by the referee or VAR, while the second was the aforementioned Silva challenge on Baldock.

On the penalty decision former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on Soccer Saturday: “From a referee’s point of view, when you slow it down, Silva’s boot lands on the top of Baldock’s toes. It’s a soft penalty, but there’s contact.

“The referee has given the penalty so it’s not a wrong decision and VAR would not have overturned it.

“The more time I’ve had to look at it properly, his foot has landed on Baldock’s foot. Last week [when a penalty was given against Hwang], there was no contact. That’s more of a penalty than last week in my opinion.”

While certainly a debatable call, it was not as controversial as a VAR decision that went against Wolves last week.

Hwang-hee Chan was adjudged to have fouled Newcastle’s Fabian Schar in the box, despite replays showing no contact between the pair.

The referee for that match Anthony Taylor was relegated to the Championship as a result.

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Topics: Football, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, VAR

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.