‘Unacceptable’ – Keith Hackett delivers verdict on Alioski incident in Leeds clash v Burnley
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett to the MOT Leeds News team. Each week, Hackett will discuss the big moments from the latest Leeds United games and deliver his verdict on whether his successors got their calls right or wrong…
Keith Hackett has delivered his verdict on the controversial incident involving Gjanni Alioski in the game between Leeds United and Burnley on Saturday.
And he thinks that Alioski is going to be in trouble after a gesture that he says “can’t be swept under the carpet”.
With Alioski on the ground after a challenge, Dwight McNeil bent down to say something to the Leeds star.
There’s been an allegation that he spat on Alioski. Alioski then stood up and made a gesture to McNeil.
Following the game, Sean Dyche confirmed that a complaint had been made to the FA who will now consider the matter.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News Hackett said, “I think what we saw here was a really good approach by the referee.
“The way it was handled, by going to the technical area, involving both managers in a very calm, unthreatening manner, then talking to the captains, I don’t think that could have been handled any better.
“What I saw on the TV camera leaves the Leeds player in a very difficult position
“We don’t know if that’s a response to something that’s been said, but we can see it’s an unacceptable gesture and it will be investigated.
“I expect action to be taken, it’s not something that can be swept under the carpet.”
Something? Nothing?
Leeds fans who know Gjanni Alioski know that he’s very capable of doing something extremely childish on the pitch.
In real-time, it appeared to be nothing but it shows that players should remain professional at all times regardless of provocation.
This has taken a little bit of the gloss off a fantastic win on Saturday and we hope that it proves to be nothing more sinister.
We don’t think it will have any effect on the game against Southampton on Tuesday.
If the FA does decide to act then it will likely be after the season has finished – when Alioski will probably not be a Leeds player.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Incident has been photographed’ – Bielsa delivers update on Alioski incident in Leeds v Burnley