Mike DeanSky Sports News

Mike Dean reacts instantly to James Justin incident in Nottingham Forest vs Leeds

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at GamingINTEL and GRV Media; University of Wolverhampton graduate. FOCUS Data content, opinion, and general news coverage across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Scott utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, broad-spectrum reporting. He provides the data and opinion foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

22 Aug 2026, 3:47 pm

Leeds United may have felt that Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina should have seen red for a tackle on James Justin.

The Whites were looking to start their season in the best possible fashion and coming up against 10 men would certainly have helped that.

Harry Wilson had thought he opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but the winger was deemed to be offside.

James Trafford was also called into action, making an excellent save to deny Igor Jesus.

And that was the majority of the action in the first half at the City Ground.

However, before any of that took place, the aforementioned Aina foul on Justin did go to a VAR check.

Should Ola Aina have been sent off against Leeds?

Aina's challenge did not look great in real time. It appeared he had lunged into a tackle on Justin with his leg quite high.

Justin was also seemingly in a lot of pain on the pitch following the aftermath.

The Nigerian international was awarded a yellow card for the tackle but it was then checked by VAR.

The check did end without any further punishment, and speaking on Sky Sports News, Mike Dean has provided his verdict on the incident.

He stated: "I think because he is low, he has missed the ball completely and his back leg has just caught the other guy. I don't think it is a sending off."

The Nottingham Forest defender will be feeling lucky it was nothing more than the yellow card, while Justin will feel lucky that he was able to continue the game.

While it was not a red card, it certainly was in the grey area between both colours of cards.

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The moment Daniel Farke will be delighted James Justin remained on the pitch

While Justin looked to be in pain, there would have been worries he could not continue any longer.

However, they were quickly diminished as he managed to carry on playing for the Whites.

It would have been particularly relieving for Daniel Farke due to the fact he only had youngster Jayden Lienou on the bench to rely on amid Gabriel Gudmundsson's injury.

Then in the 55th minute, Igor Jesus looked to have an excellent chance at goal, with Justin proving his importance by putting the Brazilian off enough for the shot to go off target.

A vital moment at that point of the game with it still 0-0.

Igor Jesus Maciel da Cruz