By Keith Hackett

24th Mar, 2023 | 12:30pm

Ex-Premier League referee hits back at Julen Lopetegui after controversial Wolves twist - 'he had no chance'

Keith Hackett has insisted Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui “had no chance” of overturning Jonny Otto’s straight red card for a “terrible” challenge on Leeds’ Luke Ayling.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted match official Michael Salisbury was “100% right” to dismiss Otto after a VAR review.

As seen in footage posted to YouTube by Sky Sports (18 March), Otto was initially shown a yellow card for his lunge on Ayling – but Salisbury upgraded his punishment to a red card after reviewing video of the incident.

Speaking post-match (as per the Express & Star, 18 March), Lopetegui suggested his side were disadvantaged by unfair decisions and insisted he would be appealing the decision to dismiss Otto.

Such an appeal from the club did not materialise, but Wolves were successful in expunging the red card shown to Matheus Nunes – meaning he will be available for their next three games.

However, full-back Otto will be unavailable for crucial games against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Brentford.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a terrible challenge.

“Lopetegui never had a chance of overturning it. What he needs to do is sit down and talk to his players.

“He needs to get a referee in to show a series of video clips about what is careless, what is reckless, and what is excessive force.

“That would give him and his players a clear example of what is acceptable, and where these decisions are coming from.

“The referee has given a yellow card with a good view of the incident, but I think the VAR was right to come in and upgrade it to a red.

“I think it’s 100% right. It was awful.”

In other news, Football Insider updates with Wolves fire sale on the cards – three big names could go first.