Credit - Leeds United Official on YouTube

Blackburn red card v Leeds missed as ex-FIFA official speaks out on Firpo moment

Refereeing Consultant AUTHORITY Former FIFA Referee; Head of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). FOCUS Laws of the Game, VAR implementation, officiating performance, and PGMOL policy. THE AUDIT Keith utilises Statscore’s Officiating Telemetry, including Deep-Data Metrics like Incident Accuracy Rates, VAR Intervention Latency, and Official Positional Efficiency. He provides technical refereeing analysis to reveal the regulatory reality behind match-defining decisions.

Published on:

02 Dec 2024, 6:40 am

Keith Hackett is amazed Tyrhys Dolan was not sent off for his foul on Junior Firpo as Blackburn Rovers beat Leeds United 1-0 on Saturday.

The left-back required treatment after being caught on his left shin with a studs-up challenge from Dolan in the 62nd minute of the game on 30 November, with the offender shown a yellow card as a result.

Hackett, a former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief, was surprised that Lewis Smith, the referee, did not dish out a red card instead, having seen the incident play out right in front of him.

Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, he said: "That's red. It's serious foul play.

"He's gone in with his left leg, it's high. It's right in front of the referee.

Blackburn red card v Leeds missed as ex-FIFA official speaks out on Firpo moment

"He's launched himself, foot off the ground, caught his opponent high on the left.

"I'm amazed the referee has not issued a red card."

Leeds Live journalist Beren Cross spotted Daniel Farke having a word with Smith after the game, while Adam Pope sensed frustration in the German after Dolan did not receive a rightful punishment.

Watching the footage, there is enough evidence to classify Dolan's challenge as serious foul play, thus justifying Farke's post-match irritation.

However, Leeds have no excuse for failing to pick up all three points at Ewood Road and missing the opportunity to go back to the top of the table.

Leeds United defender Junior Firpo [Credit: Imago]

The Whites now sit third in the table, sitting three points behind Sheffield United, who beat promotion rivals Sunderland 1-0 with 10 men at Bramall Lane on Friday [29 November].

Burnley, meanwhile, went a point above the Elland Road outfit after stringing together a four-game winning streak in the Championship.

In other Leeds United news, Crysencio Summerville has made an "absurd" admission about former Whites teammate Raphinha.

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Leeds United

Blackburn Rovers

Junior Firpo