Fans of Leeds United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays comments made by Aston Villa manager Dean Smith following his side’s draw with Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Although the match between the two sides finished goalless, there was a particularly controversial moment in the first half, after Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland clearly fell behind his goalline while holding the ball following Oliver Norwood’s free-kick, only for referee Michael Oliver not to award the goal as his watch failed to signal that the ball had crossed the line.
When questioned on the incident after the match by Rob Dorsett, Smith reportedly stated that he ‘at no point’ considered ‘ordering his players to allow Sheffield United to score unopposed,’ before going on to claim that ‘Villa have had enough VAR decisions go against them this season’ so that they ‘deserved’ that particular call.
After Smith’s comments were relayed by the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Urquhart on Twitter, Leeds fans flocked to have their say on the matter, with many pointing out that Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa allowed Aston Villa to score unopposed in a fixture between the two sides last season.
There’s class and honour like Bielsa and then there’s Dean Smith and his cheating thug side kick. Feel even prouder of Bielsa and our beloved team tonight! ???
— Linda (@HGWhites) June 17, 2020
The mans a hypocrite
— Paul Walker (@PaulWal56567799) June 17, 2020
Think he has a short memory
— Stephen Maher ?? (@stevemaher34) June 17, 2020
The incident that Leeds fans are referring to occurred during a hotly-contested fixture towards the end of last season, when after Leeds continued to play on and subsequently score while Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia was down injured, Bielsa ordered his players to allow Villa to score unopposed. The match finished in a 1-1 draw, which ended Leeds’ hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Were Leeds United right to allow Aston Villa to score?
Yes
No
What makes this worse is the reaction from Dean Smith and John Terry at Elland Road, they demanded Leeds give them a goal back. You would think after 3 months of lockdown and all that happened they would be more inclined to do what is right, but they didn’t even think about it..
— Gurj Sagoo (@judgeaknee) June 18, 2020
It’s unbelievable isn’t it,,,
— paul kelly (@paulie_lufc) June 17, 2020
Imagine my surprise…..Mr Morals and Integrity right there for you…
— Mark Reid (@witneywhite) June 18, 2020
Hahahaha
— Leeds Faithful (@MaynardM) June 18, 2020
As such, it is not difficult to see why many of these Leeds fans find Smith’s comments hypocritical.