“The Game was Stolen”: Oliver Glasner Erupts After Old Trafford Controversy
MANCHESTER — In one of the most explosive post-match press conferences in recent Premier League history, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has leveled a sensational accusation of “foul play” against match officials following his side’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The Austrian tactician, usually known for his measured demeanor, did not hold back after a game-changing VAR decision saw Palace defender Maxence Lacroix sent off and a penalty awarded to United—a sequence Glasner claims was “scripted” to favor the home side.
The Flashpoint: A “Penalty Gained, Not Earned”
The tension at Old Trafford reached a breaking point in the 52nd minute. Palace were leading 1-0 thanks to a first-half header from Lacroix himself. However, the momentum shifted when United’s Matheus Cunha went down under a challenge from the Frenchman.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially pointed to the spot, but it was the subsequent VAR intervention that sent Glasner over the edge. After being sent to the pitchside monitor, Kavanagh upgraded the punishment to a red card for Lacroix, citing the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO).
> “I have said this multiple times but this is the final straw,” Glasner fumed. “The game was stolen from us in broad daylight. This isn’t football anymore, it’s a script. We are playing against eleven men and a system that decided the result before we even kicked off.”
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The “Old Trafford Bonus”
Glasner’s primary grievance centered on where the foul occurred. Replays suggested the initial contact between Lacroix and Cunha began outside the penalty area.
* Palace’s Stance: The foul was outside the box; therefore, a penalty should not have been awarded.
* The Official Ruling: VAR determined the “holding offence” continued into the area, justifying the spot-kick.
“It’s the ‘Old Trafford bonus,'” Glasner added sarcastically. “The foul starts outside. Everyone sees it. But when you are at this stadium, the rules seem to bend. It’s impossible to compete when the big decisions are always steered in one direction.”
Match Summary: A Tale of Two Halves
Despite the controversy, Michael Carrick’s Manchester United capitalized on their numerical advantage to climb to third in the Premier League table.
| Key Event | Player | Time |
|—|—|—|
| Goal (CPFC) | Maxence Lacroix | 4′ |
| Red Card (CPFC) | Maxence Lacroix | 54′ |
| Goal (MUFC) | Bruno Fernandes (P) | 56′ |
| Goal (MUFC) | Benjamin Sesko | 71′ |
Bruno Fernandes remained cool under pressure to slot home the penalty, before Benjamin Sesko—continuing his red-hot form—headed home the winner from a Fernandes cross.
What This Means for Glasner
This outburst comes at a delicate time for the Palace boss. In January, Glasner announced he would be leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the 2025/26 season. While he has led the Eagles to unprecedented heights, including an FA Cup win in 2025, his relationship with the league’s officiating body (PGMOL) has grown increasingly strained.
With the FA likely to investigate his “scripted” comments, Glasner may face a significant touchline ban as he enters the final months of his tenure.
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