Coventry v Leeds United controversy as ex-PGMOL chief speaks out on unseen incident
Keith Hackett has given his views on an unseen incident involving a Coventry City player during the defeat to Leeds United.
Leeds beat Coventry 2-0 at the CBS Arena on Wednesday to open up a five-point gap on the two sides directly below them in the Championship.
Tensions boiled over at one point in an incident shared by Graham Smyth in his unseen moments article for the Yorkshire Evening Post [6 February].
Joel Latibeaudiere lashes out at referee in Coventry 0-2 Leeds United
Latibeaudiere is alleged to have yelled “you’re so bad at your job” at referee Dean Whitestone during the match.
That incident occurred after the man in the middle failed to make Joel Piroe leave the pitch via the shortest route available when he was substituted.
Latibeaudiere avoided any sort of punishment on the field, and former PGMOL chief Hackett does not expect him to face any further action.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Hackett said: “If he yelled in my ear words like that, the yellow card would be out like a flash.
“Referees who allow this type of comment and who do not take the appropriate action for dissent are not serving the game or their colleagues well.
“He should have taken the player to one side and suggested an improvement in his behaviour. If he failed to heed that warning, it is a yellow card.
“On this occasion, there is unlikely to be any further action.”
Leeds United on course for Premier League promotion
The victory over Coventry came on the back of a 7-0 thrashing against Cardiff City and gives the Whites a bit of breathing space at the summit.
Daniel Farke has had his critics this season, but he has Leeds exactly where many expected they would be and that is now where they have to stay.
Focus now switches to an FA Cup fourth-round tie with Millwall – in which Patrick Bamford is ruled out – but the main aim for the campaign is returning to the Premier League come May.