Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Tue 17 March 2026 19:10, UK

Howard Webb has been told to sanction Stuart Attwell amid the latest controversy over Leeds United‘s 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

Daniel Farke’s side thought that they should have had a penalty when Luke O’Nien held back Pascal Struijk in the 16th minute of the Elland Road clash on 3 March.

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has now ruled that the decision not to award a penalty was an error from referee Stuart Attwell and VAR Paul Tierney.

Leeds’s Premier League position is not helped by that admission, and Keith Hackett believes that punishment should be handed out.

What has been said about Attwell and Leeds United?

Hackett spoke out over the incident in Leeds’ defeat at the time, and he has now called for Attwell to face santion for his role in it.

Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, he said: “When a game-changing error of this nature takes place, it is important that the PGMOL management structure recognises we the error and offers appropriate operational advice.

“My view is that the Referee (Attwell) should be sanctioned by Howard Webb by not being appointed to the next set of fixtures.

“The marking system used by the PGMOL will place referees in a league table, the referee(s) in the bottom two should be demoted at the end of the season.

“Currently, I see no level of accountability in operation at the PGMOL.

“The announcement, of course, does not help Leeds United.

“A recognition that a KMI error has taken place may offer some comfort to Leeds United.

“It may also impact on how they view Referees in their future games.”

Why Leeds will not take any pleasure from Attwell punishment

Farke and his side will take little comfort, even if Attwell is handed any kind of punishment, it will not give them the point that they deserved.

One point could be the difference between survival and relegation at the end of the season, so the decision not to give the spot kick could be crucial.

It will definitely leave them suspicious of contentious decisions that go against them in their future matches, especially given how high the stakes are, and how important staying in the division is to the LS11 outfit.