Keith Hackett reacts to Leeds United controversy v Cardiff after wrong law accusation

Joel Bagan's red card was the right decision after denying a goal-scoring opportunity for Leeds United against Cardiff, Keith Hackett has said.

The former FIFA referee posted on X (23 September) in response to a fan suggestion that referee Josh Smith wrongly applied the law to Bagan's foul on Wilfried Gnonto outside the Cardiff box.

Despite Gnonto immediately getting back to his feet before being pulled back again in the box by Bagan, Smith pulled play back for the free-kick and showed the Cardiff defender a straight red card.

Breaking down the incident, Hackett said: "I have had a look at the red card.

"One direction of play towards goal? Yes; Probability of controlling the ball? Yes; Was it a foul? Yes.

"The DOGSO (direct obstruction of a goal-scoring opportunity) law fulfilled and the sanction correct – he applied the law."

Leeds United controversy v Cardiff City

With the controversy surrounding Bagan's red card cleared up by Hackett, attention will turn towards the performance of Daniel Farke's side against a numerically depleted team sat rock-bottom of the table.

Cardiff going down to 10 players didn't make things a walk in the park for the Whites, despite Largie Ramzani's breakaway goal giving them a 1-0 lead just seven minutes later.

From then on, a malaise set in as the Peacocks struggled to take their chances, and booing could be heard from the away end as the speed of play slowed significantly in the second half.

Joel Piroe's points-clinching goal eventually made it 2-0, but this didn't come until the 87th minute after Farke finally blinked to introduce the Dutchman as one of several late changes from the bench.

A red card and sixth game without a win leaves managerless Cardiff with plenty of their own concerns, but Leeds' struggles against sides sitting deep will continue to pose questions towards Farke.

In other Leeds United news, 49ers Enterprises have enlisted external assistance to help solve the Peacocks' set-piece problems.

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