Dermot Gallagher shares verdict on referee controversy in Leeds United 4-2 win v Wolves live on Sky Sports
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted he was shocked by Michael Salisbury not giving a foul for Leeds United’s fourth goal against Wolves.
The Whites claimed a huge 4-2 win at Molineux on Saturday (18 March) thanks to goals from Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen and Rodrigo, but the fourth goal sparked outrage from the home side after Adama Traore had his shirt pulled but the referee didn’t give a foul.
While speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch segment (20 March, 11:49am), Gallagher admitted that he felt the referee got the decision wrong and the goal should have been ruled out.
“I think it’s a foul,” he said.
“I think the referee should give a foul. VAR intervenes correctly, and sends him over to the screen and when I was watching it live I thought it was a heaven sent opportunity for the referee to reverse his decision, but he chose not to which is his prerogative.
“I feel a foul would have been the more acceptable decision.”
“Not convinced I’m not,” he said. “I think Firpo gets enough of the ball.
“Both players are there together but not a penalty for me. I think decisions like that if the referee gives it then you have to accept the referees decision, but on this one he said no.”
Harsh
The first rule you’re taught when playing football is that you always play to the whistle, and Wolves inexplicably didn’t do that here.
Traore has his shirt pulled, yes, but after an initial complaint he dives into a 50/50 tackle that he loses and only then does he really start to care about the shirt pull.
Leeds do as they’re expected and play until the whistle, and credit has been taken away from Rodrigo for this goal because it’s a perfect first touch across the defender and onto his left foot before a delicate dink over the goalkeeper.
Had it been the other way Leeds fans would no doubt be annoyed too, but it is a contact sport and the tug of the shirt is hardly enough to stop Traore in his tracks or really effect him too much.
It would be harsh to rule the goal out entirely, but at the end of the day the most important thing is the three points we earned on the road to move away from trouble during the international break.
In other Leeds news, Richard Keys was stunned by what he saw during Leeds’ 4-2 win v Wolves.
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