Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs was banned for two games for swearing at match officials as they left the field, an independent regulatory commission report has revealed.
Hobbs told Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh “you f***ing couldn’t wait to give that” after Wolves were beaten 2-1 by a controversial Manchester City winner at Molineux on October 20.
Hobbs served his two-game stadium ban as Wolves drew with Crystal Palace and beat Southampton. He was also fined £7,000.
An independent regulatory commission heard Hobbs’ case after he was charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA). Hobbs admitted the charge.
Wolves lost when John Stones scored a late goal. The header was initially ruled out by the on-field officials for offside against Bernardo Silva but was then given after VAR Stuart Attwell advised Kavanagh to check on the pitchside screen.
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The report says Hobbs positioned himself at the entrance to the tunnel as players were leaving the pitch. He said he stood there to greet players as they left the field.
The report reads: “Those entering the tunnel are able to pass either side of him, although his presence slows the free flow of those entering the tunnel.
“As the three match officials are escorted from the field of play with stewards they had to pass MH (Hobbs).
“It is the evidence of Mr Kavanagh that ‘…our path was blocked by Mr Matt Hobbs from Wolves who confronted me in an aggressive manner and shouted, ‘you f***ing couldn’t wait to give that’. ‘As he moved towards me, he had to be restrained by a steward’.”
Stones’ goal condemned Wolves to a late defeat (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Kavanagh’s account was backed by his fellow officials and Hobbs admitted using the words.
The commission accepted that Hobbs did not deliberately position himself at the end of the tunnel in order to abuse the officials.
It was Hobbs’ second suspension and fine in a year.
He was fined £4,000 and handed a one-game stadium ban after telling referee Anthony Taylor he was “absolutely f***ing useless as usual” following Wolves’ 2-2 home draw with Newcastle on October 28, 2023.
The report of the latest commission concludes: “In our judgment, the fact that MH chose to behave in an abusive way, yet again, towards a match official in the tunnel area is a serious matter. Such behaviour from a director is entirely unacceptable and a period of suspension from a stadium is inevitable.
“The fact that he holds a director position within the club makes it all the more serious. Likewise, his previous misconduct aggravates his position.”
Wolves return to action following the international break away at Fulham on November 23.
(Top photo: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
