A lot of Leeds United fans have responded to Graham Smyth’s article about the FA’s reasons for punishing James Mooney and Victor Orta for their confrontation with Darren England during the half-time interval of the Whites’ 3-2 win over Millwall.
Orta and Mooney were not very happy with some of England’s decisions, and they let him know exactly what they thought at half time.
Have the FA punished Mooney and Orta harshly?
Yes, they didn't do anything too bad
No, what they did was stupid
The FA decided that both acted inappropriately, and they were both handed a one-match stadium ban and fines of £2,000 for Orta and £700 for Mooney, while England’s match report gives details of why Orta and Mooney were punished.
Orta supposedly had to be physically restrained, and he was heard shouting, “You’re messing with people’s lives and families”.
The FA punished Mooney because he acted aggressively and tried to show the referee his phone to show that the ball had gone out of play before Millwall were awarded a penalty.
However, many Leeds fans have jumped to the defence of both Mooney and Orta because, in their opinion, England’s performance was so poor.
'You are messing with a lot of people's families, please be fair'
The FA have released their written reasons for the one-game suspensions handed out to Victor Orta and James Mooney – action that 'bemused' Leeds United.https://t.co/NsKpCA3RbW#lufc
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) February 17, 2020
Spot on from Orta. The decisions were diabolical to the point where you’d question the referee’s agenda. The fact that he had to amend the wording in his report says a lot. He couldn’t stop looking at linesman when Bamford scored first goal, waiting for a flag.
— CMCM (@cmcm52irfc) February 17, 2020
Darren England! incompetent, vindictive, rat. FA happy to facilitate this level of ineptitude.
— Graham (@Charley11111111) February 17, 2020
— Scotty win (@420Win) February 17, 2020
Unbelievable, fortunate to have been able to have access to LUFC dressing rooms and tunnel at half time and full time in 60’s & 70’s, good job Mr England wasn’t around back then
— DC03KER (@Dc03Ker) February 17, 2020
Utterly ridiculous. As Kinnear has pointed out, far worse happens every week, including referees being confronted by irate managers on the pitch after games #whyus
— Bielsa Bubb ?? (@bellhouse_mike) February 17, 2020
It was a fair comment from Orta. It wasn’t appropriate to make in the circumstances, but the sentiment wasn’t wrong.
— Leeds Faithful (@MaynardM) February 17, 2020
It’s probably the worst refereeing performance I’ve ever seen. Their actions are totally understandable.
— Matty ? (@mattyleeds18) February 17, 2020
You’d wonder what action is taken against incompetent referee performances such as this one by Mr England…prob worst seen this year and that is saying something given some of the dross this season to date.
— Rabernet (@RSTJA) February 17, 2020
What do we think?
The FA dealt with the matter how they saw appropriate, and everyone now needs to move on.