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Ex-Premier League referee issues 'uncontrolled' verdict as Crysencio Summerville penalised in Leeds United win vs Plymouth Argyle
The decision to rule out Crysencio Summerville’s goal as Leeds United beat Plymouth Argyle was correct because the visiting defender’s involvement was “uncontrolled”, according to Chris Foy.
The former Premier League referee told Sky Sports on 16 November that the offside decision against the Whites winger in the 2-1 win at the weekend was right, despite Julio Pleguezuelo getting a touch on Sam Byram’s slip through in the penalty area.
With the score at 1-0 in the first half the Leeds defender had received a pass from Joel Piroe and advanced into the box before playing in Summerville to score, but the goal was ruled narrowly disallowed.
Foy said: “There are a couple of factors at play here but the assistant referee and referee correctly rule the goal out for offside.
“When Leeds United’s Sam Byram plays the initial ball through it is clear that Cyrensio Summerville has just strayed beyond Plymouth’s second last defender, and is in an offside position.
“Although Plymouth’s Argyle’s Julio Pleguezuelo gets a touch as he attempts to intercept the ball, this is an uncontrolled action, therefore Summerville has clearly gained an advantage from being in an offside position when the initial pass was made, and the goal is correctly disallowed.”
Technicalities
Leeds United might have eventually come away from Elland Road with the points but the final score proved much closer than the action would have suggested.
A late goal pulled back by the visitors made for tense closing stages which would likely have been necessary if Dan James’ early opener had been doubled by Summerville before the break.
According to the rules a deliberate act is required to render an opposing player is no longer offside, so while they were arguably applied correctly in this instance it is certainly a grey area.
Most acts on the pitch are deliberate in some way and officials deciding what players’ intentions are based on their own judgment can create outcomes to key decisions that seem illogical.
Summerville’s five goals and four assists in his past seven Championship matches is one strike short of what it might have been but his current form suggests he will add to those totals sooner rather than later.
Leeds United have won six of their past seven outings in the second tier to, along with back-to-back losses for Leicester City, reignite their title bid.
Ultimately they just needed the win to maintain momentum into the international break and they got it, but they were inches away from it being a more comfortable afternoon.
In other Leeds United news, the 49ers have been tipped to “flex their muscles in the transfer market” amid the latest FFP forecast.