Stuart Attwell questioned by ex-FIFA official as Leeds v Sunderland footage emerges
Stuart Atwell has been questioned by former FIFA official Keith Hackett over a questionable decision in Leeds United’s win over Sunderland.
Leeds earned a dramatic 2-1 comeback win at Elland Road on Monday (17 February) thanks to an unlikely double from substitute Pascal Struijk.
The Championship affair was packed full of contentious moments in a game in which matters constantly threatened to boil over, particularly at half-time as the Leeds and Sunderland players clashed.
Struijk was the hero for Leeds in the end to ensure they remain automatic promotion favourites – along with Sheffield United – as we approach the final stretch of the campaign.
Leeds United should have had penalty against Sunderland
While Leeds were perhaps fortunate to have 11 players on the pitch due to an incident involving defender Joe Rodon, Sunderland can consider themselves lucky not to have conceded a penalty.
The moment in question arrived four minutes into the second period when Dennis Cirkin dragged down Ao Tanaka inside the box.
The ball towards Tanaka was badly overhit and was always likely to go out of play, but Hackett believes a penalty would have been the right outcome.
When showed footage of various angles of the incident, Hackett exclusively told MOT Leeds News: “This is a clear holding offence on a Leeds United player in the Sunderland penalty area.
“It is a clear offence by the Sunderland player and referee Attwell should have pointed to the penalty mark.
“The wresting of the Leeds United player to the ground cannot be waved aside by the referee. It was not six of one…”
Championship standings after Leeds win over Sunderland
The magnitude of the two late goals cannot be overstated enough. From fourth-placed Sunderland being within four points of Leeds to being 10 points adrift in the blink of an eye is massive.
Leeds are now back top of the Championship standings, two points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United, who they play next.
Then comes Burnley seven points back in third, so that is a nice buffer to have at this stage in proceedings.
It was eventful, it was dramatic, it was thrilling. And ultimately, it could be the win that is looked back on as the moment promotion was as good as sealed.