'Announce the loss now', 'Nightmare' – Many Leeds fans fume after EFL update for clash v Forest

Dave is a huge Leeds fan and ardent disciple of Bielsa ball. A career in print magazines that included editing PC Zone, launching PokerPlayer and redesigning The Big Issue has finally led Dave to writing about the love of his life, Leeds United. It’s been a tough 2020 but the single scariest moment was the first quarter of the game against Man City. Rodrigo will be the saviour this season.

Published on:

04 Feb 2020, 8:19 am

Leeds United fans aren't happy after it's been revealed that the referee for the game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday is Oliver Langford.

The news was announced on the EFL website ahead of the late kick-off on Saturday.

The last game that Langford refereed for Leeds was the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in January.

Jo Bedford, a Leeds fan who regularly updates her Twitter account with the latest news on EFL officials, said "the general consensus was that he had a nightmare" in that game.

There's extra focus on the EFL officials at the moment after Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani tweeted to say he was "speechless" at the level of officiating during the Millwall game.

He tweeted when Leeds were 2-0 down at half-time, after Darren England awarded Millwall a penalty after the ball had clearly gone out of play for a throw-in.

Speechless 😶...in two years I have seen a lot but the level shown tonight is not acceptable for a professional league. Time to improve, use technology support and prepare professionals fit to work at the top level of football
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) January 28, 2020

That was just one of the decisions that went against Leeds in a game they went on to win 3-2 after a second-half comeback.

Langford was the referee who was heavily criticised by former official Keith Hackett after he officiated the West Brom v Preston game earlier in the season.

Hackett said that Langford wasn't fit enough and "guessed" at a late penalty that was awarded to The Baggies.

In refereeing you cannot guess. I harp on about the fitness and movement of referees on the field of play.Webb, Collina and CLATTENBURG set the benchmark. The game needs more athletic officials. Ref was detached from play and guessed and got it wrong. https://t.co/2ABduqQl9y
— KEITH HACKETT (@HACKETTREF) December 3, 2019

Plenty of Leeds fans are now fearing the worst after Langford was unveiled as Saturday's referee, with one saying "Announce the loss already"...

Referee for the Forest game on Saturday is Oliver Langford 🙈 His last Leeds game was the Sheff Wed loss at home only a few weeks ago and the general consensus was that he had a nightmare. Also this season he's reffed our loss in the Cup to Stoke & draw at home to Derby #lufc 1/3 pic.twitter.com/RlchpK3EYl
— Jo 🐾 (@El_Loco_Jo) February 3, 2020

Runs round like a headless chicken.... 🙈
— richard trinder (@richardtrinder1) February 3, 2020

😱😱😱
— (C) DazzlerLUFC 🏆💙💛🏆 (@DazzlerLUFC) February 3, 2020

boooooo
— Georgina Jane Petty (@orangina17) February 4, 2020

I say it every week, the standard of refereeing is at an all time low. I don't hold with any kind of conspiracy, they're just not good enough. Not enough people want to be referees, so they're being promoted out if necessity not on merit imho.
— Jo 🐾 (@El_Loco_Jo) February 3, 2020

🙄 oh no
— kev 64💙💛 (@kev64uk) February 3, 2020

Sadly the standard of refereeing is shocking these days. We can only hope it improves. Harrington certainly stepped up his game on Saturday, which was refreshing to see.
— Jo 🐾 (@El_Loco_Jo) February 3, 2020

In other Leeds United news, 'Wow really?', 'The day you lost the fans' – Many Leeds fans react to Radrizzani Twitter message

Leeds United

Nottingham Forest