Andy Hinchcliffe can’t believe what he saw in Leeds United v Norwich City as Sky Sports footage emerges
Andy Hinchcliffe believes Leeds United should have had a penalty for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto during their 0-0 playoff draw with Norwich City.
Gnonto raced through down the right wing before being hauled down by Canaries star Borja Sainz on the edge of the box, but the referee didn’t award anything much to the fury of the Italy international.
Reacting to the incident in real time while on commentary for Sky Sports [12 May, 12:07pm], pundit Hinchcliffe shared that he initially thought it was clean but then admitted to being wrong about it when he saw the replay.
“He clearly gets the ball as he lunges… or does he?” he said. “Maybe I’m wrong actually. Oh, I’m wrong. He doesn’t get the ball.
“I understand why the referee thinks he does, because I thought he did. Is that in the area anyway? It’s a borderline one, isn’t it? I think Josh Smith think Sainz gets the ball, I did.
“There’s no question that it is a foul because Sainz doesn’t get the ball and he does haul Gnonto down.
“A major part of the contact is outside of the penalty area but the question is does Gnonto get to the line, because the line belongs to the striker.
“It’s a tough one and if you’re not certain, and you’ve got a good view of it, if you’re not 100% certain then you can’t give it.”
Leeds United denied a clear penalty v Norwich
Championship clubs have to deal with the fact there is no technology in the game at this level currently, but Leeds have had a rough time with decisions this season.
On plenty of occasions they will feel aggrieved that things have gone against them despite seemingly fairly obvious, and this is another instance where that will be the case.
Gnonto is clearly past Mainz and the defender lunges in and gets absolutely nowhere near the ball. There is a question mark as to whether or not it is in the box but it certainly is closer to being on the line than not.
In such a big game, with such huge stakes and in games that are so closely contested those fine margins can often be the difference. It’s about time Leeds got some decisions in their favour.
Getting a penalty there doesn’t guarantee a goal, but it could have swung the momentum of the game and ultimately the tie in their favour and they will feel hugely aggrieved that it didn’t go their way once again.
In other Leeds news, Paul Merson has shared his prediction for who will win the playoffs and earn promotion to the Premier League.
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