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Graham Smyth slams BBC MOTD over Tyler Roberts incident in Leeds v Sheff Utd
Graham Smyth could not believe the lack of coverage on BBC Match of the Day over a key incident in the first half of Leeds United versus Sheffield United.
The Whites beat the Blades 2-1 at Elland Road on Saturday but YEP journalist Smyth was left bemused by a George Baldock challenge on Tyler Roberts on the half-hour mark.
The Sheffield United defender flew into a tackle which left the Wales international crumpled in a heap on the floor but instead of signalling for a free-kick, the referee allowed play to continue and subsequently awarded a corner, making no reference to the incident.
Smyth initially took to his personal Twitter profile at half-time to protest his amazement, saying: “Struggling to understand this decision. Or the lack of decision, rather.”
He then returned eight hours later, during the live broadcast of BBC Match of the Day, to express his shock that Gary Lineker and co only debated the merits of the concussion protocols, rather than Baldock’s foul itself.
He tweeted: “Not a mention on MOTD. They showed it from different angles to, rightly, talk about the concussion issue but failed to point out how horrific the challenge was. So odd.”
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Not a mention on MOTD. They showed it from different angles to, rightly, talk about the concussion issue but failed to point out how horrific the challenge was. So odd. https://t.co/wbpZGJobqF
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) April 3, 2021
Smyth was left fuming by the incident, and rightly so.
How on earth was Baldock not cautioned, at the very least? There is a strong argument to suggest it was a red card offence such was the severity and lateness of the foul.
Roberts could have been left seriously injured by this and it was utterly baffling to see the officials ignore it.
It was a sterling effort by Roberts to still poke the ball through to Jack Harrison and the Manchester City loanee was unfortunate to see his effort tipped wide by Blades keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
A corner-kick was given and everyone expected the referee to pause the game in order to flash a yellow to Baldock but no card was forthcoming.
In this day and age, with VAR, it’s unforgivable to miss such an incident.
We’re lucky that it did not cost Roberts, who was able to last until the 81st minute, or the team, who powered past the Premier League basement boys.
We might not be so fortunate next time, however, and the officials must do more to help.
In other Leeds United news, Alan Shearer lauds Whites ace for proving the doubters wrong.