Sky Sports pundit explodes at ‘Stupid’ Illan Meslier as footage emerges of incident in Leeds United 2-1 loss v Preston North End
Illan Meslier was branded “stupid” and “petulant” after he was given a straight red card in Leeds United’s 2-1 loss to Preston for lashing out at an opponent.
The Whites were level at 0-0 before Meslier inexplicably caused a commotion in the box and pushed Milutin Osmajic in the face in front of the referee, earning him a red card and a subsequent three-game ban as the Whites went on to lose thanks to a late Liam Millar goal.
And reacting immediately on commentary for Sky Sports (26 December, 13:42), pundit Lee Hendrie was furious with the French goalkeeper saying there was “no need whatsoever” for him to react the way he did.
“Really, really, really stupid from Meslier,” he said. “There’s no need whatsoever.
“Yes there was an infringement and there was something going on, but you just cannot have that aggressive approach. He raised his arm, in the face, Osmajic goes down, he made a bit of a meal of it but you can’t your arm up and push someone in the face in that manner.
“That’s why he’s having a cold shower. It’s not even the greatest ball in the box. Whiteman has a little niggle and they come together, but it’s this one here. Uncalled for, there’s no need for it. Petulant. No need whatsoever.”
Idiotic
That’s incredibly stupid and pathetic from Meslier and it’s fair to say that the goalkeeper has potentially cost the club three huge points in the push for promotion.
After the goalkeeper claims the cross easily he just needs to get on with the game. The balance of play is finely poised and the team were attacking the travelling fans, so they had the momentum and with the quality on the pitch a result was there for the taking.
Overall it was a pretty poor performance from Leeds and Daniel Farke was rightly not happy about it after the game, but Meslier has to hold his hands up there and take the blame.
It’s poor from him and despite his young age, he is experienced enough to know that it’s unacceptable and deserves the pelters that will now come his way.
It’s now a chance for Karl Darlow to stake his claim as the number one, but this result is a huge blow to the team.
In other Leeds news, ‘Stupid’ ace drops 1/10 stinker in player ratings as Whites beaten.