Neil Redfearn was shocked to see Ricardo Pereira booked for a challenge on Georginio Rutter at Leeds United.
The former Whites manager reacted live on BBC Radio Leeds via the BBC Sport live-blog (8.22pm) on 23 February, as the Leicester City man slid in to stop the Whites attacker with a “great tackle” near the half-way line midway through the first half, only to be awarded a yellow card by Craig Pawson.
Pereira appeared to get the ball without any serious follow-through, and Redfearn proclaimed that “the game’s gone” if the tackle was a caution.
Redfearn commented, “That was an excellent tackle by Perreira. If that’s a yellow card, the game’s over.
“This is a sliding tackle.” He has a bit of Rutter, but I don’t think it’s a foul. It’s highly questionable.”
Ricardo Pereira booked against Georginio Rutter at Leeds United.
It appeared to be a textbook tackle live and on replay, so Pawson will only know what he saw from a few yards away.
The incorrect card was issued during a fast-paced start to the game, with the official appearing to do his utmost to add to the pandemonium by making multiple mistakes early on.
Leeds United had their own chances but were unable to capitalize, while the league leaders scored from a corner, exactly as they had done at the King Power on November 3rd, when Wout Faes was left alone at the back post following a Patson Daka flick on.
Officiating is under more scrutiny than ever before, and while players frequently do not help them, decisions like Pawsons occasionally do not help them either.
Daniel Farke’s men should have been able to take advantage of the referee’s lack of order and the fast pace at Elland Road, but they let themselves down up until the break and did so again until Connor Roberts smashed home late for his first goal for Leeds.
The game was flipped on its head moments later when Archie Gray’s strike deflected off the Leicester scorer and bounced home, and Dan James completed a remarkable comeback in extra time.
