Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Mon 9 March 2026 6:55, UK

Referee Peter Bankes’ inconsistent refereeing was highlighted during Wrexham’s loss to Chelsea and Leeds United‘s defeat against Manchester City.

The past week has been a tough one to take for Leeds fans. Despite having a number of gilt-edged opportunities, they couldn’t find a way through against City and lost 1-0 last Saturday.

Then on Tuesday, Leeds were plunged back into the relegation dogfight when Sunderland beat them 1-0 at Elland Road for a second straight Premier League home loss.

To make matters worse, Farke was hit with a one-match touchline suspension after being sent off in the wake of the City defeat.

Bankes was then on duty for Wrexham’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Chelsea on Saturday but despite manager Phil Parkinson walking on the pitch after their 4-2 loss, just as Farke had done in Leeds’ loss to Man City, the Red Dragons boss didn’t get the same punishment.

Leeds fans call for consistent refereeing

Farke picked up the first red card of his 16-year managerial career after being sent off by Bankes on 28 February.

The German, who ran towards Bankes at the full-time whistle, took exception to some of the decisions that went against his Leeds side.

An FA statement said Farke admitted the misconduct charge and accepted the standard one-match suspension and £8,000 fine, with the former Norwich City boss later quipping he will “never jog again” after being “embarrassed in front of the whole world” by his sending off.

While Parkinson had a calmer demeanour about him after Wrexham’s defeat, why was Farke red carded and the Wrexham coach wasn’t?

In the FA’s statement, they said it was alleged that Farke entered the field of play at full time to confront the match official/s, which is “contrary to Law 12 of the Laws of the Game”. So was it just Farke’s manner that led to a red card for him, while Parkinson got off scot-free?

Parkinson will be in the dugout for Wrexham’s Championship clash with Hull City on Tuesday but Farke was suspended for Leeds’ FA Cup fifth-round clash with Norwich on Sunday.

Referees do have a tough job but when there is inconsistency from one game to the next, even from the same officials, it can leave many football fans feeling aggrieved, and rightly so. If there was a noteworthy difference between the two incidents, the PGMOL should come out and say why at the very least.

Leeds United face crucial Premier League stretch

With Leeds’ demoralising loss to Sunderland last time out, Farke’s team are just three points above the relegation zone.

West Ham’s win at Fulham on Wednesday, in addition to Nottingham Forest’s draw at City, has intensified the relegation battle once again.

Leeds sit 15th but there are just three points between them, Tottenham, Forest and West Ham with nine games to go.

Leeds, on paper, have the easiest set of fixtures to come but the recent upturn in form of West Ham and basement side Wolves may make a mockery of that.

Before clubs head off for the March international break, Leeds travel to Crystal Palace on 15 March, before hosting Europe-chasing Brentford six days later.

A win from one of these games will go a long way to ensuring their survival but defeat could plunge them into the mire.