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We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett to the MOT Leeds News team. Each week, Hackett will discuss the big moments from the latest Leeds United games and deliver his verdict on whether his successors got their calls right or wrong…
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is “spot on” to complain about time-wasting in his side’s draw with Everton according to Keith Hackett, and has his “100%” support on the matter.
Following the 1-1 draw in mid-week (30 August) the Whites manager railed against the tactics of Frank Lampard’s side, particularly the amount of time goalkeeper Jordan Pickford took on goal kicks, telling the BBC: “The referee should have managed that better because in the end this is an entertainment business”.
Hackett completely backs the American’s stance and believes after raising this issue in his interview he needs to go further by writing to the football authorities to get some action to be taken.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News the former head of the PGMOL said: “I support his comments 100%. I’ve been saying it for a long time. He’s absolutely right, football is in the entertainment game and fans have every right to have as much playing time as possible.
“Everton are going through a rough patch. Therefore they know that Leeds’ style is to play at a high [intensity].
“I think that Jesse Marsch is spot on. Power to his elbow, I think he needs to do more than just that. I think he needs to write to somebody and say, ‘Look, this is what’s happening’, with a degree of evidence.
“I think the whole question of time-wasting is a problem in the game that somebody’s now dealing with.”
After yet more poor officiating in the second game of last week’s double-header, the 5-2 defeat at Brentford, Marsch wants talks with those in charge to understand better what is going in with certain calls.
He was particularly outraged at the failure to give a penalty for a foul on Crysencio Summerville, or to even review on VAR, while one was given after a video consultation against Luis Sinisterra in the first half, and the manager was sent off for his troubles.
If and when he manages to secure those discussions it is certain that the subject of time-wasting will also be on the agenda, which will clearly satisfy Hackett since he believes that it is a blight on the game that has gone ignored for too long.
In other Leeds United news, a January signing has now been picture in first-team training in what is that latest slap in the face of his talented teammate.