Wrexham Hollywood stars accused of intimidating referees as Jeff Stelling slams decisions
Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling has raised concerns about whether the celebrity status of Wrexham’s Hollywood owners is influencing referees to make decisions in their favour. Stelling’s comments come in the wake of two contentious decisions made by match official Seb Stockbridge in Wrexham’s 3-0 victory over Burton Albion, a game attended by Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds. The match saw a Burton player receive a red card early in the game, followed by a penalty awarded to Wrexham, which Stelling described as “laughable”. Despite these decisions, Wrexham secured a crucial win that bolstered their promotion hopes in League One.
During the game, Burton’s Charlie Webster was sent off after just ten minutes for a high tackle on George Dobson, leaving the visitors at a numerical disadvantage. However, it took Wrexham until the 71st minute to break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty, converted by Steven Fletcher. Further goals by Sam Smith and Jack Marriott sealed the victory for Wrexham, pushing them six points ahead of rivals Wycombe Wanderers in the race for the second automatic promotion spot. Despite the win, Stelling was critical of the referee’s decisions, suggesting that the presence of Hollywood stars like Reynolds at the game might have influenced the officiating.
Stelling’s comments were echoed by Troy Deeney, who agreed that the referee’s decisions were questionable but backed Wrexham’s promotion prospects. Deeney highlighted Birmingham City and Stockport as strong contenders for promotion alongside Wrexham, while expressing doubts about Wycombe’s chances due to recent setbacks. With Wrexham’s destiny now in their own hands with five games remaining, the focus is on maintaining their momentum to secure a third successive promotion to the Championship. Their upcoming match against Wigan Athletic will be a crucial test as they strive towards their promotion goal.
The rise of Wrexham as a football club has been meteoric, thanks in part to the involvement of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as owners. The club’s success has been documented in the Disney+ documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, which has garnered a global following for the team. Amidst this newfound fame, fans can now stay updated on all things Wrexham with the ‘Wrexham is the Game’ newsletter, offering in-depth coverage, analysis, and insights for supporters. As Wrexham continues its impressive run towards promotion, the club’s supporters are eagerly anticipating what lies ahead in their quest for success on and off the pitch.
As the League One promotion race heats up, Wrexham finds itself in a strong position to secure a coveted spot in the Championship. With the backing of their passionate fanbase and the guidance of experienced personnel, including Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham is poised for further success in the footballing world. Despite the scrutiny over referee decisions and external influences, the focus remains on the team’s performance and determination to achieve their promotion dreams. With the final stretch of the season approaching, Wrexham’s players and fans alike are united in their pursuit of glory and a bright future for the historic club.