Leeds United: Sky Sports pundits baffled amid Joe Rodon controversy v Millwall
Paul Robinson and Robert Snodgrass were left baffled by referee Stephen Martin’s decision not to award Leeds United a first-half penalty against Millwall in their clash at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke’s side moved top of the Championship with an excellent 2-0 win at Elland Road on Sunday (17 March) with Wilfried Gnonto’s wonderful first-half strike and Dan James’ second-half effort from the bench.
However, the Whites felt they deserved a first-half spot-kick when Cooper not only fouled Rodon but handled the ball as well and Sky Sports pundit Robinson was left confused by the decision and felt the Millwall defender should have been sent off.
Speaking on Sky Sports Football (17 March, 15:38) he said: “This is as clear a penalty as you will see, not just for the initial challenge here on Joe Rodon, but also for the handball as well.
“Look at the referee’s position, we don’t like to criticise referees, we don’t like to come down on referees but this initial challenge on Rodon, he’s nowhere near the ball.
“He clearly goes straight through the player, then he handballs it and that’s the third incident where he could have picked up a second yellow and been sent off. he’s very, very lucky to still be on the pitch.”
Snodgrass quickly agreed, saying: “The referee’s positioning, he’s five yards away, how can he not see that? It’s a clear penalty for me. Another booking and it probably changes the game.”
Will Leeds United win promotion to the Premier League this season?
Leeds United supporters will feel as though they’re due a bit of luck with officials this season as it doesn’t feel as though Farke’s side have had many close calls go their way over the course of the campaign.
As Robinson and Snodgrass suggested, Cooper’s challenge was one of the most obvious penalties of the season and would have been more than deserving of a second yellow which could have changed the entire course of the game.
While Leeds still managed to find a way to claim all three points against Neil Harris’ side, they will hope that the officials are a bit more vigilant in the coming weeks as they look to win the close title race at the top of the table.
Hopefully, the international break will give the EFL and its officials a chance to reflect on their mistake in Sunday’s clash and the standard of refereeing could improve before the Whites are next in action against Watford.
In other Leeds United news, Farke has shared a new update about Pascal Struijk’s fitness ahead of the international break
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