Neil Warnock hits out at what Stuart Attwell did at end of Leeds United v Sunderland
Stuart Attwell took charge of the Leeds United clash against Sunderland in a move that certainly didn’t go down well with Neil Warnock.
The Whites’ faithful weren’t bothered who the match officials were when Pascal Struijk headed home a 97th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 win.
This sent Elland Road crazy as the home side marked their return back to the top of the Championship with an atmosphere that supporters are unlikely to forget any time soon.
Even Daniel Farke was caught up in the excitement of the result and was involved in a moment of controversy which Warnock didn’t appreciate.
Neil Warnock fuming as Stuart Attwell booked Leeds United boss Daniel Farke v Sunderland
The German head coach was handed a yellow card by referee Attwell for running onto the pitch in LS11 to celebrate with his players after the late winner.
This will see the Leeds boss serve a touchline ban for the upcoming clash against Sheffield United on Monday (24 February).
It is safe to say that this didn’t go down well with former Blades boss Warnock who has taken aim at the match official at Elland Road live on Sky Sports Football (17 February).
He said: “I just think, what I don’t miss in football when you look at the referee at the end of the game.
“I mean, he [Farke] celebrates and he runs onto the pitch with his team. What harm is he doing there? It’ll be a busy fourth official who’s called Stuart Atwell over and said, ‘Get him in the book.’ They’ll absolutely love it.
“What’s he doing refereeing the game Stuart Atwell? Why don’t they have a Championship referee and give them experience of a top game like this, I don’t understand that at all.”
Stuart Attwell in strange Daniel Farke decision in Leeds United v Sunderland
Farke got booked for celebrating a 95th-minute winner with his players which feels entirely unfair.
Given the different decisions that Attwell opted not to punish, it made even less sense why he was so keen to book the Whites’ boss.
Largie Ramazani avoided a booking despite goading Dan Neil after the full-time whistle causing a scuffle which certainly went down well with the Elland Road crowd.
Similarly, Joe Rodon may have been fortunate to miss out on a red card after going head-to-head with Sunderland goalscorer Wilson Isidor.
These decisions didn’t go against Leeds but one did go against the manager who will now be in the stands for the huge promotion clash against Sheffield United.
If the Blades secure a positive result without the German at pitch level, it is safe to say that Attwell will have questions to answer from the Whites.