EFL referee hailed after Gnonto incident with West Brom physio in Leeds United draw
Noel Egan has praised EFL referee Sam Allison for his reaction to Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto appearing to clash with a West Brom physio at the weekend.
The ex-FIFA official has described the incident as nothing more than “handbags.”
Daniel Farke’s side played out a 0-0 draw with the Baggies at The Hawthorns on Saturday (17 August). During the match, Gnonto appeared to have a heated exchange with a West Brom physio.
As per Leeds Live (17 August), “[Junior Firpo] collided with [Jayson] Molumby. They both stayed down. Firpo then checked on the West Brom man, but was pushed back by the home physio. Gnonto then came over and gave the physio a little shove back.”
And Egan – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – was delighted to see Alisson avoid dishing out any unnecessary bookings.
“I’d put this down as handbags, to be honest,” Egan said.
“There is an awful lot that goes on between players and club staff once they’re in and beyond the tunnel. I can assure you, I’ve witnessed it myself.
“The fact that this happened on the pitch, it is just born out of frustration on the field at the time. I think the referee handled it quite well. Just get on with it.
“If the referee had started handing out cards that might have manifested itself into something much greater later on in the game.”
Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto clashes with West Bromwich Albion physio
It is unusual to see a player clash with a physio on the field of play.
However, referee Alisson didn’t feel as though the incident warranted any further punishment, which could have been a relief to Gnonto and Farke.
This incident would have no doubt been a result of Gnonto’s frustration, with the forward and his club not getting off to the best of starts this season.
And if the Whites want to turn things around, Gnonto will need to channel his frustration into his performances on the pitch, not clashes with club physios.
In other Leeds United news, the club have made a final approach to sign a Feyenoord attacker.
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