Fans of Leeds United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which The Athletic’s Leeds reporter, Phil Hay, comments on the three-match ban given to Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Early on in Leeds’ eventual 3-0 victory over promotion rivals Fulham last weekend, Mitrovic caught Leeds centre-back Ben White with a wayward elbow. However, the incident was missed by referee Tony Harrington, meaning that the Fulham forward escaped the incident without punishment.
Subsequently, however, the Championship’s joint-top goalscorer has been given a three-match ban for the elbow, resulting in him missing Fulham’s upcoming fixtures against QPR, Birmingham City and fellow play-off contenders Nottingham Forest.
And, upon hearing the news of Mitrovic’s suspension after it was posted on Fulham’s official Twitter account, journalist Phil Hay quote-tweeted the post, adding the comment: “The right decision. No defence.”
In reaction to his tweet, fans of Leeds flocked to have their say on the matter, with many suggesting that they believe a three-match ban is lenient.
Very Lenient. That was an assault! He accelerated his forearm towards Ben White's face. Not a scintilla of accidental – could easily have bust his cheek bone AND he has "previous".
— washedlufcwhite #FBPE (@washedlufcwhite) June 29, 2020
Had to ban him,blatant thuggery.
— Steptoe. (@tony_passmore) June 29, 2020
Thought it would of Been more with him been done for it before
— Stephen Maher ?? (@stevemaher34) June 29, 2020
Oh dear oh dear https://t.co/yT9wm4cs4l
— cohan (@CohanhindsCH) June 29, 2020
It is indeed true that Mitrovic does not have an exemplary disciplinary record, receiving 62 yellow cards – one of which turned into a red following a second booking – and five straight red cards over his 325 career appearances.
However, this latest ban has come at an incredibly crucial point of Fulham’s season, with just seven fixtures remaining of their Championship campaign.
Should Mitrovic's ban have been longer than three games?
Yes
No
And, following their loss to Leeds and earlier loss to Brentford, the club are beginning to slip down the table, finding themselves closer to sixth-placed Cardiff than West Brom and Leeds in second and first respectively.
And now they have no attack. ?
— Alex (@AJG8701) June 29, 2020
You must be joking Phil. That was downright thuggery and, bearing in mind his penchant for such assaults, should have got at least 5 matches.
— No Filters (@NoFilters56) June 29, 2020
Shouldn’t it have been more than 3 game ban as he’s been done for violent conduct before?
— Brighterbeat (@EastStandL29) June 29, 2020
While Leeds fans are, rather understandably, concerned about the length of Mitrovic’s ban, the fact the striker only received three games could actually be positive for the Whites.
As previously stated, Mitrovic will miss Fulham’s clashes with QPR, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, however, following those three fixtures, Fulham then face Cardiff and Leeds’ closest title rivals, West Brom.
As such, Mitrovic could return to have an impact on the West Brom game that has the potential to see Leeds finally secure promotion back to the Premier League.