Daniel Farke pictured ahead of a Leeds pre-season game

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Daniel Farke will not be happy with Premier League announcement for Brighton vs Leeds United

Assistant Editor AUTHORITY Senior editor responsible for daily news flow, sub-hub management, and maintaining editorial standards across the site network. FOCUS Editorial oversight, newsroom workflow, and verified reporting. THE BRIEF Former Leeds United correspondent Mark has risen through the ranks at Breaking Media Limited to manage the network’s daily output. He works between the reporters and the experts to ensure the data and the news are applied correctly to every story.

Published on:

04 Sep 2026, 6:10 am

Daniel Farke may already have one hand tied behind his back ahead of Leeds United's trip to Brighton.

The Whites make the trip down south to the AMEX Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on the impressive Seagulls.

With Joe Rodon out long-term, it will be a changed side from the 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out.

Starting the season with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, Leeds have an unbeaten record to protect.

While already not a happy hunting ground historically, the Premier League's latest announcement won't go down well.

Certainly not for Farke, if his past experiences are anything to go by.

Who is referee for Brighton vs Leeds United?

The Premier League have confirmed their officials for matchweek three of the new 2026-27 season.

It will be Stuart Attwell in charge of things at the AMEX on 5 September.

The experienced referee will have Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton as his linesmen, with James Bell on VAR if needed.

While on face value this may be good news, Leeds will have the complete opposite view of that to the general public.

And with very good reason.

Leeds United predicted XI vs Brighton: Noah Okafor axed as new signing told to swim

Stuart Attwell's ridiculous call against Leeds United

Cast your minds back to May 2026, which isn't long ago at all.

Leeds welcomed Sunderland to Elland Road looking to cement their spot in the Premier League, only to lose 1-0.

It should have been so much different, though.

Rodon had a goal correctly disallowed for offside, but Pascal Struijk was denied the clearest of penalties you will ever see in football.

Luke O'Nien wrested the now-Brighton defender by his neck from a corner, with the KMI Panel all voting that it was a clear error by Attwell.

Leeds should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 loss at home to Sunderland.

Sunderland's Luke O'Nien placed "his arms around the neck of Pascal Struijk in a clear non-footballing action."

The KMI Panel unanimously voted it a VAR error. #LUFC https://t.co/gq29VwLPgZ
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonBBC) March 17, 2026

Ironically, Sunderland would grab the winner from the penalty spot themselves through Habib Diarra in the second half.

It was even suggested after the game that Howard Webb should have sanctioned Attwell, showing just how bad the decision was.

Farke and Leeds are no strangers to poor officials, especially in the season they won the Championship, but this might be the worst decision of the past couple of years.

Hopefully, Attwell avoids the spotlight that referees so desperately seem to crave in modern football on Saturday.

Either way, Farke will be secretly raging.

Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club