Wolves news: Ex-Premier League referee suggests drastic action against Julen Lopetegui amid ‘ban’ controversy
Keith Hackett has claimed the touchline behaviour of Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui should prompt an intervention from PGMOL chief Howard Webb.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee claimed match officials should start red-carding the 56-year-old for his technical area antics – which would result in an “instant one-match ban”.
Lopetegui was booked inside 15 minutes for his protests as Wolves fell 3-0 away at Man City on Sunday (22 January).
The former Sevilla boss has already received three cautions despite taking charge of just nine games at the Molineux club.
He was booked for feisty confrontations during cup matches against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest – both this month.
Mikel Arteta has also been criticised for his touchline outburst in recent weeks – and was booked during Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Man United on Sunday (22 January).
Wolves sit 17th in the Premier League and are only outside the drop zone on goal difference.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Just yellow carding Lopetegui has zero impact.
“He’s just gone off on one in every game so far.
“The power is in the hand of the referee. The real effective punishment is for the referee to show him a red card, rather than a yellow.
“That’s an instant one-match ban, and that will get him out the way.
“I suggest that Howard Webb has a conversation with the LMA about behaviour in the technical areas.”
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