‘Another apology coming from the EFL’ – Some Leeds fans react to Phil Hay update: ‘Shocking’
Leeds United fans are convinced they don’t get the rub of the green from referees and another decision went against Marcelo Bielsa’s men last night.
Leeds beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at the Riverside but it could have been an easier night if referee Gavin Ward had awarded what looked like a stonewall penalty for a trip on Jack Harrison.
One fan posted a video of the incident and it looks like a stick-on.
Athletic journalist Phil Hay was convinced it should have been a spot-kick too.
In a match update from last night’s game he said, “That’s either a penalty or a dive but quite obviously a penalty. Not given. Replay shows a clear trip as Harrison ran into the box. Don’t think anyone’s been digging this referee tonight.”
Plenty of Leeds fans weren’t digging Ward after this decision and it certainly wasn’t his best game.
Aside from the penalty decision, he ignored some shocking tackles and while we’re all for letting the game flow, there were some baffling moments from him at the Riverside.
However, penalty aside, the one thing you can say is that he made as many bad decisions against Middlesbrough as he did Leeds, and the spot-kick decision didn’t end up hurting us.
That didn’t stop plenty of Leeds fans piling onto Hay’s tweet and berating Ward, though, and it’s just the latest example of poor officiating at this level.
One fan said, “I feel there’s another apology coming from the EFL” – which is probably the most optimistic take we’ve seen.
Next up is Keith Stroud for the game against Hull. Leeds have won all four games he’s reffed this season but he also denied us penalties against Brentford last season and against Salford in the league cup this season, so who knows?
Meanwhile, here are the best reactions from fans on Twitter to Ward’s “shocking” penalty decision…
In other Leeds United news, Major blow for Leeds as hamstring injury rules player out v Hull – confirmed