Dermot Gallagher baffled by controversial Leeds United incident in loss v Preston, ‘Why would you do that?’
Dermot Gallagher was baffled by the actions of Illan Meslier as he was sent off for Leeds United against Preston on Tuesday (26 December).
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on Thursday (28 December, 10:52am), the former Premier League referee said “why would you do that?” as he watched the footage back of the 23-year-old pushing Milutin Osmajic in the face.
He added that it was a “rush of blood” from the French keeper as he highlighted how close the referee was to the situation, with the red card playing a role in the Whites suffering a 2-1 defeat at Deepdale.
“Why would you do this?” asked Gallagher. “Why would you do it? And if you see where the referee is, he’s looking straight at you. It’s just a rush of blood, call it what you like.
“The game has stopped as well at this point and then he turns round, little shove there which, again, petulance isn’t it. And then glove in the face. Why would you do that? Look where the referee is.”
Cost them the game
It was a stupid decision from Meslier as he completely lost his head in the situation before being handed a straight red for a push on Osmajic.
While some people will argue that the Preston forward did overreact as he rolled around on the floor following the incident, you simply can’t push an opponent in the face and expect to get away with it.
With the game 0-0 at the time, the keeper’s actions undoubtedly played a significant role in the Whites eventually losing the match, with Liam Millar scoring an 89-minute winner for the hosts.
The Frenchman is now going to have to sit on the sidelines and watch Karl Darlow make his claim as to why he should be the number one at Elland Road.
He will be hoping to put in a strong performance when he makes his first Championship start for the club away to promotion rivals West Brom on Friday (29 December).
In other Leeds United news, Clive Tyldesley slammed a Whites loanee after what he did.