West Brom boss James Morrison has sent the internet into meltdown after declaring himself a “fierce rival of Wolves” following his side’s 1-0 defeat in a fiercely contested Black Country derby.
According to reports, Morrison’s anger was not simply about losing the game. The West Brom boss became involved in a heated touchline confrontation with members of César Peixoto’s Wolves coaching staff, with the incident continuing to attract attention after the final whistle.
Asked during his post-match interview for his honest assessment of the game, Morrison was asked whether he was comfortable revealing what had gone wrong between himself and Peixoto.
He made it clear that he had no intention of keeping quiet. Morrison claimed that two things had angered him throughout the derby.
The first was the officiating.
The West Brom boss questioned a number of decisions during the match and suggested that the standard of officiating had left him wondering whether Wolves were receiving favourable treatment.
Morrison questioned whether officials were now favouring Wolves in games because of the pressure and desire to see the club return to the Premier League.
But that was only the beginning. The incident that pushed Morrison over the edge involved West Brom attacker Morgan and a member of the Wolves coaching staff.
Morrison claimed that the Wolves staff member accused Morgan of falling down whenever he experienced even the slightest contact with a Wolves player.
The comment went further, with Morrison claiming the staff member called his attacker a “woman.”
That, according to the report, was the moment Morrison decided enough was enough.
He believed that regardless of how heated a derby becomes, personal remarks directed at players should never be accepted.
Morrison’s first explosive response focused on both the officiating and the alleged comments towards Morgan.
“There were two things that angered me today. The first was the officiating. Some of those decisions were difficult to understand, and honestly it made me wonder whether the officials are now in favour of Wolves in every game just because everybody wants to see them return to the Premier League. But what really made me furious was what one of their coaching staff said to my attacker Morgan. He called him a woman and accused him of falling down every time there was the slightest contact with a Wolves player. That statement should not be allowed in football. You can disagree with my player, you can challenge him and you can argue with him, but you cannot personally disrespect him like that. That is why I confronted them.”
Morrison, however, refused to back down.
His second and final statement turned the confrontation into something much bigger than a single incident.
“I am demanding an apology to me and, more importantly, to Morgan. After what happened today, I have no problem declaring myself one of Wolves’ fiercest rivals. I respect the rivalry, but there is a difference between passion and disrespect. You cannot speak to my player like that and expect me to simply walk away. I will defend my players every single time.”
The controversy reportedly attracted the attention of pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, who, in this report, criticised the alleged conduct of the Wolves coaching staff.
Neville reportedly argued that coaches must remain professional regardless of the pressure of the occasion, while Carragher allegedly stressed that personal comments towards opposition players have no place in the technical area.
The comments quickly sparked a huge reaction online.
Supporters reportedly began debating whether Morrison had every right to confront the Wolves bench or whether the incident was simply another example of emotions boiling over during a local derby.
One fan, @BaggiesFaithful, wrote: “If those comments were made to Morgan, then this needs to be addressed immediately.”
Another, @FootballPulseUK, posted: “The result has suddenly become secondary. Everyone is talking about what happened on that touchline.”
A Wolves supporter, @OldGoldArmy, added: “Derby matches are emotional, but there should still be a line that coaches and players don’t cross.”
The declaration became the headline across social media.
West Brom may have suffered a 1-0 defeat, but the controversy surrounding Morrison’s confrontation with the Wolves coaching staff has the derby remembered for much more than the result. The big question now would be whether Peixoto or Wolves respond to Morrison’s explosive allegations.
I know I’m biased because I support Wolves
I don’t know what was said about Morgan,but I think any personal remarks about players are out of place at the game.
I also don’t think that Morrison is right about the referee,I didn’t think he biased at all.
I would be the first to criticise if Wolves did not play well,but they were up for the game & they showed it.
Worthy praise should go to West Brom’s goal keeper,because if it wasn’t for brilliant saves by him,Morrison would really have had reason to complain.
As it was Wolves deserved their win& instead of complaining,Morrison should have given Wolves some credit for the way they played.
In conclusion,I think it was a case of sour grapes by Morrisons,but I also hope that his team gains promotion with Wolves so that both can play in the P/L.