Former Leeds United player Jon Newsome described Shane Duffy’s tackle on Crysencio Summerville as “out of control” during the goalless draw against Norwich City.
Duffy, an Irishman, was booked for the challenge early in the second half of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Carrow Road, which scythed through Summerville.
Following their tentative 0-0 draw in Norfolk, the two clubs will face off again on Thursday at Elland Road.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, Newsome said of the tackle: “That’s the type of challenge I believe football is attempting to eliminate.
“Shane Duffy is totally out of control.” That’s the type of challenge that could have knocked Crysencio Summerville out of the game, and out of Thursday’s game.”
Leeds United can win Wembley at Elland Road.
After a team selection that perplexed some fans of Daniel Farke, Leeds United will accept the goalless draw – and they will certainly take a fit Summerville, who was fortunate to escape Duffy’s hard hit.
Leeds’ EFL play-off demons must be put aside for the time being in the hopes that they will be extinguished for good this season, and a win over the Canaries secures a spot in the final against either West Bromwich Albion or Southampton.
A cagey encounter in which both teams were afraid not to lose, 90 minutes remain in such a finely balanced tie, but Leeds fans will now be hopeful they can finish the job in what will be an electrifying atmosphere in West Yorkshire this week.
Farke is set to reintroduce Joel Piroe into his starting lineup and throw caution to the wind in the second leg, and his former club will do everything it can to bring the demons back.
