Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has called out Mark Robins for his “disgusting” behaviour which left a ball boy in tears following their dramatic FA Cup win.
Coventry scored twice in injury-time to snatch a miraculous 3-2 victory at Molineux on Saturday afternoon and reach the semi-finals. Ellis Simms headed in to make it 2-2 in the 97th minute before setting up Haji Wright to curl in the goal which booked them another trip to Wembley.
The goal sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch and in the away end - and prompted an emotional reaction from the normally-reserved Robins. The Sky Blues boss was seen darting down the touchline to celebrate with clenched fists in the face of a ball boy.
Robins later apologised and explained that he had been riled up by the ball boy goading him when Wolves were 2-1 up and appeared set for victory. The Express and Star reports that the ball boy was left in tears and O’Neil made a point of criticising the former Manchester United midfielder in his post-match press conference.
“I wasn't aware of it until after and I was disappointed,” O'Neil said. “I waited for Mark downstairs after I'd seen it and spoke to him. I was really respectful at the end, having lost a massive game. I waited for them to finish their celebrations, shook everyone's hand and congratulated them on a really good performance, reaching Wembley and what a fantastic achievement it was.
"He apologised, but to celebrate in a young boy's face like that, I thought was disgusting. The boy is really upset. It shouldn't happen. I don't have too much to say on it because we've lost and it'll sound bitter, but I thought it was really important for me to speak to Mark about it. They're just kids doing their job.”
The incident soured an otherwise glorious day for Coventry, who can now look forward to another Wembley trip following their defeat on penalties in the Championship play-off final last season. Once he had calmed down, Robins apologised for the out of character behaviour.
“I have an apology to make because before that (winning goal) happened, a ball boy had the ball in his hand,” he said. “He dropped the ball and walked away, smiling. It really annoyed me, but he's a kid, you know. At the end of the day I've reacted.
“We scored the goal and I've gone and celebrated in front of him. So I'm apologising to him. I do not show emotion very often, but I did today, and that's what the FA Cup does to you. But I apologise unreservedly to him.”
Coventry were superb against their Premier League opposition and deservedly went ahead when Simms bundled in at the back post, with the goal awarded after a long VAR check for handball. The visitors spurned some good chances to make it 2-0, with Jose Sa thwarting Bobby Thomas, and they appeared to have thrown it away when Wolves rallied.
A mistake by Joel Latibeaudiere allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to fire Wolves level and he then turned provider for Hugo Bueno to slot in after a fantastic move in the 88th minute. Coventry didn’t accept defeat, however, and Simms headed in before laying off for Wright to win it in the 100th minute.
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