Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League referee, has given his thoughts on the decision not to award Wilfried Gnonto a penalty in Leeds United’s draw with Norwich City.
The two sides battled it out in a tense first leg of the play-off semi-finals at Carrow Road, with neither team managing to break through to advance to Thursday’s showdown.
Daniel Farke pulled off a tactical surprise by moving Archie Gray into a midfield three, an obvious attempt to stabilize Leeds and ensure they did not return to Elland Road trailing.
However, this adjustment resulted in very little goalmouth action for either team, as the two teams combined for only three shots on goal, none of which tested either goalkeeper.
While Leeds had the minor advantage of playing at home in the second leg, they will be disappointed that it wasn’t more due to a handful of refereeing mistakes.
Dermot Gallagher issues verdict on Gnonto penalty decision.
Josh Ward, the referee who sent Illan Meslier off against Preston North End on Boxing Day, was entrusted with making two crucial decisions during the game, along with the rest of his officiating team.
Junior Firpo’s disallowed goal was questionable at best, with Georginio Rutter assessed to be offside during the buildup.
Leeds also believed they should have been awarded a penalty early on when Gnonto was taken down by Borja Sainz. Tom Lockyer and Billy Sharp both agreed it should have been given.
Former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has now spoken out on the newest episode of Sky Sports’ News ‘Ref Watch’, weighing in on the decision and whether VAR would have intervened if it had been utilized.
He stated: “I believe it’s a foul. It’s tough to see if it’s inside or outside the penalty area. The referee believes that the Norwich player plays the ball. He does not even call a foul.
“He does not even grant a free kick. He truly believes the Norwich player plays it due to his viewpoint. If there had been VAR, I doubt it would have resulted in a penalty since I believe the major point of contact is outside the box.”
Leeds can feel hard done by in terms of referee performance.
Those two aforementioned judgments were undoubtedly 50/50, but the fact that both went against Leeds suggests that they may feel unfairly treated.
Farke stated that he and his coaching staff discovered an angle that indicated Rutter was onside, but there are numerous clips that show the tackle on Gnonto occurred inside the box.
Having said that, for him to be only a few yards away and gesture that Sainz had the ball was comical. It would have been difficult to object if he had given a free kick.
It is claimed that these things will always find a way to balance themselves out, and maybe Leeds will get more of the green on Thursday.
