BT Sport broadcast previously unseen footage of ‘surprise’ Leeds United controversy v Fulham
Leeds United’s hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League were dealt another blow as Fulham but there was a controversial moment in the first half which the referees weirdly failed to spot.
The Whites suffered their fourth defeat in five games on Saturday [22 April] in a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, leaving them just two points above the relegation places, in 16th, before Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City directly below them play later on Saturday.
However, there was a surprise and strange incident mid-way through the first half when Bernd Leno picked up a back-pass from defender Tim Ream.
As posted by BT Sport Football on their Twitter account [22 April], the Ream pass appeared to hit Rodrigo on the way through to Leno, clearing up any potential refereeing error.
BT Sport reporter Linsey Hipgrave cleared up the controversy, stating: “There was a bit of surprise when Leno picked up what looked like a clear back-pass from Tim Ream but it looks like it just grazes the studs of Rodrigo.
“The linesman tells the referee Peter Banks who acknowledges it, so that clears that up.”
Lucky escape
It was certainly a weird moment but arguably the most eventful in what was a drab first half between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage when Leno clearly picked up Ream’s backpass.
It was rather baffling at the time that the referee especially the linesman didn’t seem to pick up on the error but that controversial incident has now been ideally cleared up by BT Sport for which the clip shows that Ream’s pass did clip off Rodrigo’s studs before Leno claimed the ball.
It proved a lucky escape for the referees but a correct call as shown in the clip and could have well been a costly one for Leeds United who suffered yet another defeat in what was a poor performance from Javi Gracia’s men.
The Whites will be hoping and praying that their race for Premier League safety won’t get damaged by any controversial moments going against them, as they look to steer clear of the dreaded drop zone.
In other Leeds United news, a finance expert believes Radrizzani has finished as an investor in the club ahead of his presumed £450million windfall.