What Patrick Bamford said to referee after controversy in Leed United win v Southampton
Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford asked referee Peter Bankes if he has to dive in order to win a penalty kick after a controversial moment in the win over Southampton on Tuesday.
Bankes and VAR failed to award the Whites a spot-kick after Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy clearly made contact with Bamford inside the penalty area.
However, Bamford didn’t throw himself to the ground and instead stayed on his feet despite being impeded by the Southampton shot-stopper.
After the incident was ruled as not being a foul, Bamford was visibly furious with Bankes a clip that has emerged on Twitter shows the striker clearly saying to the referee: “So I have to dive.”
Spot on by Bamford
Referees have made a massive problem for themselves by rewarding players who throw themselves to the ground for the slightest bit of contact.
We saw it last night as Chelsea beat Leicester when Timo Werner was faintly brushed by a defender and launched himself to the deck, screaming in agony.
There was contact but was it a foul? Absolutely not.
Bamford was impeded by contact from McCarthy – it doesn’t matter if you go to ground or not.
But basically, what referees have done is accepted a culture of diving and simulation in football to the point where players have to simulate in order to win free-kicks of penalties.
It’s a disgrace and further shows that the PGMOL needs a complete refresh from top to bottom because the standard of referees and the use of VAR in his country is unacceptable.
In other Leeds United news, this pundit has shared what he’s heard about Rodrigo De Paul amid Leeds transfer news.