BBC Sport pundit fumes at ‘awful’ Wilfried decision in Leeds United v Peterborough United
Paul Robinson hit out at the “awful decision” not to award Wilfried Gnonto a penalty as Leeds United defeated Peterborough United 3-0 in the FA Cup third round.
The Italy winger was felled by Posh defender Josh Knight in the first half at London Road on Sunday (7 January) but referee Sam Allison was unmoved.
It looked a clear spot-kick but with no VAR in action there was nothing Leeds could do. Former Whites goalkeeper Robinson was none too pleased with the incident.
“That is right in front of us and the referee is in a good position,” he told BBC Radio 5 live in quotes reported by BBC Sport’s live blog.
“The ball comes to Willy Gnonto and the referee has made an awful decision to not give a penalty. It is a penalty.”
Thankfully it made little difference as a double from Ethan Ampadu sandwiched Patrick Bamford’s stunner to put Leeds into the next round.
Absolute stonewaller
You could argue that Gnonto knew what he was doing by moving towards Knight’s trailing leg but however you look at it this one was an absolute stonewaller of a penalty and Gnonto’s reaction said it all really.
Gnonto was having a lot of luck down the right-hand side all game and really should have had an assist when he put one on a plate for Patrick Bamford, only for the striker to head straight at the home goalkeeper.
So, his mood will not have been improved by Allison’s decision not to blow his whistle and point at the spot and Robinson is absolutely spot on that decision from the official was truly “awful”.
Still, luckily it did not matter too much as Leeds did enough to see off Peterborough and book their spot in the next round so it did not end up mattering too much, but it’s not really the point it was a penalty every day of the week.
In other Leeds United news, Robinson was frustrated with something Patrick Bamford did in the game.