Leeds star Dan James in ‘careless’ controversy as new footage emerges – Exclusive
Leeds United star Daniel James was at the heart of everything as Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Looking to continue his fine form at Elland Road, the electrifying winger opened the scoring at the Cardiff City Stadium with a low finish under the keeper in the ninth minute.
James could have had more, though, and strong appeals for a penalty were later waved away by Donatas Rumsas after a rash challenge on the edge of the box.
James caught in Wales controversy
Keith Hackett insists that Kazakhstan defender Nuraly Alip’s challenge was rash but also admits that James may have feigned contact before going down.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, the ex-FIFA official revealed that he’d seen another angle of the replay away from the one that BBC Sport Wales shared on X.
“The defender knew exactly what he was doing and that was to stop his opponent en route to goal,” Hackett said.
“His challenge is careless but I have seen another clip, which may have been available to VAR, that shows that the initial challenge was outside the penalty area and shows no contact and the Wales player jumping early in an attempt to win a penalty kick.
“Angles on these incidents show the difficulty in accurately judging these incidents.”
Daniel Farke watching on nervously
With Wilfried Gnonto already forced off injured while playing for Italy under-21s over the weekend, Farke will have been watching Wales closely.
Not only James, but Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow were in action for the Red Dragon, with his big enforcer at the back not afraid to put his body on the line.
| Championmship 24/25 | W | D | L | P |
| Leeds | 23 | 11 | 4 | 80 |
| Sheffield United | 25 | 7 | 6 | 80 |
| Burnley | 21 | 15 | 2 | 78 |
With eight games to go, Leeds are still top of the Championship, but being level on points with Sheffield United and only two ahead of Burnley, a nervous final stretch approaches at Elland Road.
Luckily, those two still have to play each other, meaning it is advantage Leeds and Farke as they look to get out of a sticky patch of form, starting at home against Welsh opposition, Swansea, on 29 March.