Loads of Leeds United supporters have been discussing referee Kevin Friend’s decision not to award a penalty in the 94th-minute of the Whites’ clash with Preston North End, for an incident between Tyler Roberts and Ben Pearson.
As Leeds went in search of a late go-ahead goal deep into stoppage time on Tuesday night, Roberts was brought down in the box after contact was made with Preston’s Pearson, but referee Friend waved away the incident declaring it as a fair challenge.
United left-back Ezgjan Alioski later commented saying he felt his team were denied a clear and obvious penalty, but while he was unimpressed with the decision, he also felt the Elland Road natives had been too wasteful with their chances leading up to the controversial moment.
“I have said this before, we fight against the team that we play and against the referees and it’s unbelievable that the referees don’t help us sometimes, because what I see now in the dressing room video, it’s a clear real penalty and it’s unbelievable how these don’t see it,” Alioski said, via quotes by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“Four referees on the pitch and nobody sees this. What we need is only that they know that we play a high intensity and sometimes the other teams need to do fouls and they need to help us.”
He added: “It’s frustrating that we conceded a goal after how many chances we had and to go 1-0 behind and to come back again.”
Leeds found themselves behind in the 74th-minute at Deepdale when Tom Barkhuizen struck the opening goal for Preston, despite fashioning 16 shots on goal to their hosts five at that stage, as per WhoScored data.
Only two of the Whites’ 16 efforts had been on target, as well, and needed a goal from late substitute Eddie Nketiah to salvage a point.
Many Leeds fans seemingly feel their side deserved more than a draw, though, as lots agreed with Alioski that Friend’s decision not to award a penalty in stoppage time was the wrong call…
It’s not a dive. His back leg hits Roberts’ leading foot around the same time his front foot gets the ball (so could argue gone through Roberts to get to ball). Could go either way I reckon. Not helped by the poor quality vid and subsequent screen shots
— Rob Sumner (@robtomsumner) October 22, 2019
If he gets the ball but takes out Roberts in doing so it’s still a pen.
— zz9zsa (@zz9zsa) October 22, 2019
You can just tell by PNE player’s reaction. Penalty. But probably worst game of football I’ve ever witnessed so tbh fair result. Preston improve every season. Alex Neil I think he has something.
— Chris Hardy (@LowfieldsLad77) October 22, 2019
He doesn’t get the ball as far as I can see – no pen
— LUFC BBQ (@ThegreekZorba) October 22, 2019
Gets ball but it’s a scissor tackle (other leg brings player down).. foul.. therefore penalty
— LJ@Leeds (@jeffreysls) October 22, 2019
Looks a penalty, looked one live
— James Pearson (@JamesPearson25) October 22, 2019
Def pen
— Simon (@LEEDSUTD69) October 22, 2019
Follow through states penalty and red card which later gets cancelled after your team lose. Strangely it only happens in that way to Leeds
— geebo (@geebo87880019) October 23, 2019
While lots of Leeds supporters have suggested the incident was a foul, many have also taken the chance to reflect on the incident and decided that Pearson’s challenge was actually not a foul.
Many have voiced messages lauding the tackle as being ‘great’ and that Pearson won the ball before making contact with Roberts.
Others have shared replies apologising to referee Friend for arguing that he should have awarded a spot-kick, as he actually got the call ‘spot on’ at the first time of asking…
Follow through states penalty and red card which later gets cancelled after your team lose. Strangely it only happens in that way to Leeds
— geebo (@geebo87880019) October 23, 2019
NOT a penalty.. but we’re due a decision for once, can’t keep living off that Roofe handball
— The Adelites ?? (@theadelites) October 22, 2019
Pains me to say it but it was a great tackle.
— Chris Weston (@chriswestonpga) October 22, 2019
Apologies to the ref. He was spot on. I was wrong.
— Mars (h) (@andymarsh6) October 22, 2019
Yep want to believe it was a foul and it looked it at first glance. But it’s a great challenge
— LeedsNews (@news_leeds) October 22, 2019
Fair play. Ref was good tonight imo
— Tommy McHale (@thetommymchale) October 22, 2019
Agree got the ball clearly
— Melv Hoddell (@HoddellMelv) October 22, 2019
Of the many who felt the incident was not a penalty after reflecting on the challenge, there have been some who have suggested the decision may have gone the other way, had the tackle been made by a Leeds player rather than a Preston one.
One fan shared they ‘have no doubt’ that a penalty would have been awarded had the incident occurred in the United area, while another claimed ‘this is how it seems to go’…
Got to agree it’s no pen player gets ball first but the other way round Preston get a pen! This is how it seems to go need to take one of the 50 chances we have during the game ??MOT
— ian grundy (@Grundy1976Ian) October 23, 2019
As Leeds fans we’re prob tuned to knowing that is a great tackle, not a pen, but if done by a white / dark / powder blue shirt, would be given! Actually what colour is the dark one with pink flashing?
— 1919 – Bielsa ?? (@aclr1972) October 23, 2019
If a Leeds player had made the same tackle it would have been a penalty against us, that I have no doubt.
— Nige Co (@NigeCo2) October 23, 2019