Ex-FIFA official hails referee James Bell amid Leeds United v Burnley controversy
Noel Egan has hailed James Bell after his decision not to award Leeds United a penalty against Burnley on Saturday (14 September).
The ex-FIFA official praised Joe Worrall for his challenge on Manor Solomon inside the box.
The Israeli winger went to ground under a challenge from the Clarets defender as Burnley secured a 1-0 win at Elland Road. Despite protests from the Leeds players, a penalty was not awarded.
And Egan – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – was delighted with this decision.
“I thought that was a very good refereeing decision from Bell,” Egan said.
“The player clearly plays the ball. There was an old adage years ago that people thought you can’t tackle between the legs of a player.
“However, you’ve got to remember that contact is part of the game. Therefore, it is only when that contact contravenes the laws and makes a challenge unlawful that it is a problem.
“If there is slight contact with Solomon, I don’t see that as a foul. I don’t think it goes beyond the high threshold now being adopted by the referees.
“I think it is a very good challenge, a very good goal-saving challenge. Therefore, I don’t see it as a penalty at all I’m afraid.”
Leeds United unlucky not to be awarded a penalty against Burnley?
This was a real 50/50 call for Bell at Elland Road. At first glance, it seems like a stonewall penalty.
However, on closer examination, it appears as though Worrall does play the ball, albeit while going through the back of Solomon.
Therefore, Bell could have called it either way, which might explain the Leeds players’ frustrations that the decisions went against them.
However, it wasn’t a clear-cut error. As a result, there would be no use for Daniel Farke to spend much time thinking about the decision.
What is important now is that the Whites move on from the defeat. They have a trip to Cardiff City on Saturday (21 September), where they will be keen to bounce back.
In other Leeds United news, one player at the club has been backed to snub transfer interest from the Premier League.
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