Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 5 April 2026 15:32, UK

Leeds United have been warned about the potential for a penalty shootout in their FA Cup clash with West Ham on Sunday.

Daniel Farke‘s side head into the contest against their relegation rivals, looking to reach the semi-finals at Wembley.

There is the potential for the quarter-final clash to go to a penalty shootout, which could spell trouble for the Whites.

Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth revealed that he had heard that the West Ham safety team have informed the Elland Road side that penalties should not be held in front of the away end.

Leeds will hope that the tie does not go that far, and that they can win in normal time, especially if they are disadvantaged like that.

West Ham cannot be serious with Leeds shout

Leeds’ penalty shootout record is not the best, and if they are taken in front of the Hammers’ support, surely their chances are reduced.

The Irons can’t be serious with the claim, what Smyth had heard in the press room is an absolute farce and cannot be serious.

Taking to X on 5 April, he said: “Heard tell in the press room that West Ham ‘informed’ Leeds United that their safety team determined that penalties (if needed) should not take place in front of the away end.

“Not sure that’s something they can just determine…”

Can that actually happen in West Ham vs Leeds?

Unfortunately, it is actually allowed within the laws of the game, as the referee has the power to do so if there are safety considerations.

The rulebook states: “Unless there are other considerations, the referee tosses a coin to decide the goal at which the kicks will be taken, which may only be changed due to safety reasons or if the goal or playing surface becomes unusable.”

Therefore, if the issue is considered to be enough of a concern, then the hosts could genuinely have the penalty kicks at their end without the need for a coin toss.

It is probably best that the LS11 side know now, rather than a surprise being sprung on them if a shootout is needed, but it still does not seem fair.

The supporters are not exactly close to the goal at the London Stadium anyway, so surely they cannot have that much of an impact on anything on the pitch.

If the Peacocks are knocked out on penalties and they are forced to happen at the home end, it will prove to be controversial.