Leeds v Middlesbrough ref slammed by ex-FIFA official after 2nd-half incident
Keith Hackett has slammed referee Ben Toner over a decision he made in the second half of the Leeds United versus Middlesbrough clash.
Having already frustrated Boro in the first half with one of his calls, Toner than booked Anfernee Dijksteel in the second half in a moment that left the visiting players perplexed.
Speaking live on talkSPORT 2, pundit Danny Mills was furious with the decision, arguing not only should it not have been a yellow card but Boro should have been awarded a free-kick instead.
Former FIFA referee Hackett exclusively telling MOT Leeds News: “I find myself nodding in agreement with pundit Danny Mills regarding referee Toner’s action not to penalise the Leeds player, who was holding onto his opponent’s arm during a Middlesbrough attack on their opponents’ goal. This was a big mistake.
“That holding offence resulted in the Boro player been put off balance and running into his opponent. Middlesbrough were in a position to shoot when Toner stopped play and to the surprise of everyone issued a yellow card to the Middlesbrough player, who had been held.
“There was no doubt about the holding offence on the Middlesbrough player and it was sustained until the player managed to break free. The challenge for which the Middlesbrough player was yellow carded was frankly wrong in law. He did not commit a reckless challenge.
“Sadly there is no procedure to appeal that yellow card. It was a very poor piece of officiating by referee Toner, who earlier had failed to award Middlesbrough a penalty kick.”
Leeds United benefit from refereeing decisions v Middlesbrough
Boro had a strong penalty shout rejected and saw one of their players wrongly booked in this instance.
Manor Solomon pulled back on Dijksteel’s arm, causing the Boro player to lose balance and take out Joe Rothwell.
However, Leeds were good value for their 3-1 victory at Elland Road on Tuesday (10 December) – even Michael Carrick admitted as much.
Worse decisions than this will be made between now and the end of the season, and the more that go in the Whites’ favour, the better their chances of automatic promotion.
In other Leeds United news, Ally McCoist was in hysterics at something Eddie Gray told him live on talkSPORT.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.