Howard Webb told to visit Daniel Farke after Leeds United incident
Keith Hackett has urged Howard Webb to hold face-to-face talks with Daniel Farke after the Leeds United manager was issued another yellow card in the draw against Preston.
Farke was cautioned during Saturday’s (14 December) 1-1 draw at Deepdale in a feisty affair that boiled over close to half-time.
The Leeds boss wanted to discuss with the fourth official why Preston’s Ben Whiteman was not sent off for a lunging challenge on Jayden Bogle, leading to the home side’s coaching staff to intervene.
Referee John Busby booked Farke, who suggested after the game that referees are becoming far more strict in terms of dishing out yellows to managers.
Former PGMOL chief Hackett agrees with Farke and believes it is down to Webb to visit managers and help build a better relationship.
“A part of football is being able to seek guidance on decisions – that has been the case since we’ve had technical areas,” Hackett exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“It’s about how many times you approach the official. Farke doesn’t strike me as someone who strikes his mouth off. He approaches in a reasonable manner and sometimes fourth officials need to not overreact and get on with it, rather than finding issues.
“What I would suggest is that Howard Webb, as the boss of the PGMOL, should visit the manager. Along with a referee coach, let’s talk through basic problems in how managers can question decisions.
“This isn’t someone throwing a bottle down, or screaming and shouting on the touchline. The relationship between officials and managers needs to be improved.”
Daniel Farke right to feel aggrieved in Leeds draw v Preston
How Whiteman wasn’t issued a second yellow card for his challenge on Bogle is a mystery. It was a nailed-on booking and Farke was right to be annoyed.
Indeed, the referee got a number of decisions wrong and in the end Leeds can feel happy to have come away with a point when effectively playing against 12 men.
And yet Busby was quick enough to reach into his pocket to caution Farke when the German simply wanted an explanation from the fourth official.
As a reminder, that is something Farke is allowed to do. The state of officiating in the Championship really is at a low, not helped by incidents such as these.
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