Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 17 March 2026 15:10, UK

Leeds United should have been awarded a penalty against Sunderland, according to the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel.

Leeds fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on 3 March thanks to Habib Diarra’s second-half penalty at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s side had the large share of chances and possession, but couldn’t break down the visitors’ stubborn defensive rearguard.

However, Leeds felt hugely aggrieved that Pascal Struijk wasn’t given a penalty after Luke O’Nien wrestled him to the floor in the penalty box.

Sunderland got away with that one, but two weeks after the fact, Leeds have been told an incorrect decision was made, which won’t bring them much comfort.

Faith in referees dwindles after Leeds United incidents

Days after the dust began to settle on Gabriel Gudmundsson’s questionable sending off at Crystal Palace on Sunday, this new development has incensed Leeds fans.

According to BBC Sport, the KMI Panel stated that Leeds should have been given a penalty for O’Nien’s holding offence on Struijk.

Leeds are just three points above the relegation zone, and even a point against Sunderland could have gone a long way to securing their survival.

In the Palace draw, referee Thomas Bramall had a day to forget as he appeared to forget Gudmundsson was on a booking before dismissing the Swede, even though his foul on Ismaila Sarr arguably did not merit a second yellow.

Incidentally, this comes at a time when the Football Supporters Association have a survey out which asks fans for their thoughts on VAR, and LUTV commentator Bryn Law thinks it won’t make for good viewing for referees.

He said on the Square Ball Podcast: “I’ll bet that 85% of respondents have done exactly the same thing [strongly disagreeing that VAR has improved football].

“I think that is the overwhelming view of the way that this has been implemented currently, because it feels like such a mess.”

Leeds have had it better than some other teams when it comes to VAR, but the lack of consistency from week to week, in addition to the lack of quality referees, is concerning.

Leeds face crunch period in relegation fight

After another Premier League matchday has been and gone, Leeds have maintained their three-point advantage over the bottom three with eight games to go.

Relegation rivals Tottenham picked up a valuable point at Champions League-chasing Liverpool, and West Ham held second-placed Manchester City to a draw.

Nottingham Forest played out a stalemate against Fulham as no team gained an advantage over the other in the relegation fight. Next up, Leeds host Brentford at Elland Road on Saturday.

They then head off for the international break, where Leeds fans will pray none of their key personnel gets injured. In the next month or so, they host Brentford, lowly Wolves, and Burnley.

Leeds will be huge underdogs against the division’s form team in Manchester United in early April, but victories against 19th-placed Burnley and bottom-of-the-table Wolves are must-wins.

This is a crucial stretch for Farke’s side. A couple of victories will likely get them over the line, but more draws and losses will ratchet up the nerves around Elland Road.