Ex-Premier League referee wowed by Patrick Bamford decision in Leeds United draw at Rotherham
The decision to rule Patrick Bamford offside and disallow what Leeds United thought was a winning goal at Rotherham was “fantastic”, according to Chris Foy.
The former Premier League referee told Sky Sports on 27 November that the assistant’s flag at the New York Stadium was correct because the Whites striker had been leaning just offside and “clearly impacted the opponent” in going for a slight touch on the ball.
Jaidon Anthony had poked home after Bamford’s touch on a Willy Gnonto’ ball across the box late on 24 November for what appeared to be a likely 2-1 win, with Don Goodman stunned by the close decision to rule it out live on the Sky Sports commentary as Leeds were held to a draw.
Foy said: “This is a fantastic decision by the assistant referee in the closing stages of the fixture. You can see on the replays that the Leeds number nine is leaning slightly in front of the deepest Rotherham United defender – with the six-yard box able to be used as a reference point.
“Even if the attacker didn’t touch the ball, given the clear attempt to play the ball that is close to him having moved from an offside position it was the correct decision to disallow the goal as he has become involved in active play and clearly impacted the opponent.”
Fine margins
It was hard to tell at the time, especially without the benefit of VAR in the Championship, but it appears it was narrowly the right decision.
Daniel Farke was unhappy after the game that the assistant had noticed the “two inches offside” [BBC Sport West Yorkshire, 24 November] when a clear foul on Daniel James in the box had been missed for a penalty.
It contributed to a frustrating night on the return from the international break as Leeds United were unable to put the game beyond the hosts after an early Crysencio Summerville opener despite dominating the first half.
Instead they were hit by a shock leveller just before the break, which altered the dynamic of the game hugely, and were unable to break down an improved Rotherham in the second 45 minutes.
Had the James foul been picked up or had Bamford’s role in the Anthony strike not cancelled it out the Whites would have escaped with a battling victory, but it wasn’t to be.
The striker had come on for a less-than-fully-fit Georginio Rutter and is clearly in desperate need of a telling contribution to the team in order to lift a weight off his shoulders, but once again the late drama didn’t quite fall in his or Anthony’s favour.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope admitted he was in “denial” as a new “massive, massive worry” has emerged for the Whites.