Danny Higginbotham has responded to a Leeds fan on Twitter who accused Sky and the pundit of bias against Leeds.
The Leeds fan, called ‘boogie’ on Twitter was talking about the controversial penalty decision in the second-half of the play-off clash that Leeds won 1-0.
Derby were awarded a penalty after Jack Harrison and Jayden Bogle collided in the box. However, after talking with his linesman, Craig Pawson reversed the decision and gave the free-kick to Leeds.
Higginbotham, on commentary for Sky, thought this was wrong and ‘Boogie’ wrote, “Mate how u called a pen there is beyond me. No contact at all. Sky bias is a joke!”
Higginbotham responded saying, “Penalty in my opinion mate.”
Penalty in my opinion mate.
— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) May 12, 2019
‘Boogie’ wasn’t leaving it there and implored Higginbotham to look at the incident again in slow-motion.
The Sky Sports pundit followed this up by saying he had looked at the incident on “numerous occasions” adding, “It’s just my opinion on how I saw it. Leeds fully deserved the win.”
I have numerous occasions. It’s just my opinion on how I saw it. Leeds fully deserved the win
— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) May 12, 2019
OPINION
Fair play to Higginbotham here. The penalty decision was a tough one to call but we think the officials got it right by overturning the decision. At worst it was a tangle of legs, but Bogle came in from behind and Harrison was looking to play the ball. Higginbotham is sticking to his guns and everyone’s allowed an opinion – especially pundits. He didn’t address the allegations of bias against Leeds directly – probably wisely – but taking the time out to respond to a Leeds fan is a classy touch from the Sky man. He also tried to diffuse the situation by saying that Leeds thoroughly deserved the win. The incident split the rest of the Sky pundits, with Liam Rosenior saying the right decision was made and Darren Bent saying it wasn’t a penalty but that the decision shouldn’t have been overturned. Leeds did deserve to win the game, though, and they have the advantage going into the second leg at Elland Road on Wednesday. They’ve now beaten Derby three times out of three this season, and they’ll be looking to make it four and book a trip to Wembley next week. It’s hard to see any other result after yesterday’s game but Marcelo Bielsa will be keen to warn his players against complacency.