Nottingham Forest vs Leeds announcement will have Daniel Farke seething after ‘crucial mistake’
Daniel Farke will be reunited with a referee who once made a “crucial mistake” against Leeds United when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Leeds succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Brighton last time out, their fifth loss in 10 Premier League matches, and they will be hoping to bounce back.
The Premier League have announced the officiating team for the City Ground contest on 9 November, with Jarred Gillett taking charge of the contest.
However, Matt Donohue being on VAR duties may be the biggest issue for Farke, after his previous involvement with the Elland Road outfit.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has history with Matt Donohue
Leeds manager Farke is not afraid of confrontation, as shown by his touchline spat with Fabian Hurzeler on Saturday.
He did not mince his words after Donohue took charge of his side’s clash with West Brom in the Championship in August 2023.
Brandon Thomas-Asante used his hand to put the ball in the back of the net, but the incident was not spotted by the officials, and the goal stood, leaving Farke furious.
After the contest, in quotes reported by the Yorkshire Post, he said: “Normally, I never comment on any decisions of the referee because after the game, we cannot change it.
“Even the guys from Sky told me it was a clear handball before the goal and also offside. I cannot change it right now. In the game, it was too difficult for me to see, but I just had a feeling it was handball, and it was quite obvious.
“I trusted the referee at this moment, but it seems like it was a crucial mistake, and it is sad for him.”
Leeds’ miserable away record will be another concern for Farke
The Whites have a dismal record on the road since they returned to the top-flight, and that will be another concern, other than Donohue.
Farke’s side have won just one of their five away matches since the start of the season, losing the other four.
That was the 3-1 win over bottom-place Wolves in September, and they have lost to Arsenal, Fulham, Burnley and Brighton in their other matches away from Yorkshire.
They have scored just three goals in those games, with all three coming in the victory against the Old Gold, and conceded a total of 12 strikes.
Leeds will not like the appointment, but they must make sure that they do not leave the result in the hands of the officials, and come away with three points from the contest.
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