Leeds United

Exclusive: Mark Halsey discusses Leeds United’s Ian Poveda

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Image for Exclusive: Mark Halsey discusses Leeds United’s Ian Poveda

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has claimed that Ian Poveda should have gone down during an incident in Leeds United’s defeat against Chelsea.

During the latest round of Premier League fixtures, Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites fell to a 3-1 defeat away from home against Frank Lampard’s Blues (per BBC).

With the scores at 2-1 during the match, there was an incident in which Poveda was challenged by Ben Chilwell in the box, but the attacker stayed on his feet and was not awarded a penalty (per Leeds Live).

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Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, Halsey gave his take on the decision, saying: “If you look at Poveda in the Chelsea-Leeds game, there was clear contact by Chilwell, clear contact.

“Now, if he goes down, that’s a penalty. And I’m sure a penalty would have been given. Had the referee not given it, I’m sure VAR would have come in.

“To me, if he goes down and the penalty’s not given in that situation, that’s a clear and obvious error because it was clear, clear contact – that wasn’t subjective.”

The decision from the 20-year-old attacker to stay on his feet has divided opinion amongst pundits, however, the majority seem to agree that the player showed a good level of honesty.

It is difficult to argue against the fact, though, that a penalty for the Whites at that stage of the game could have been pivotal in avoiding defeat.

Should Ian Poveda have gone down following the challenge from Ben Chilwell?

No, he did the right thing

No, he did the right thing

Yes, should've gone down

Yes, should've gone down

It was described by Leeds Live as a ‘key incident‘ as the Blues were leading 2-1, and a goal would have seen the game tied going into the closing stages of the match.

On Match of the Day, Danny Murphy went as far as to suggest that some people will level the accusation at Poveda that he “cost his team a point“.

Halsey went on to state: “With the contact, go down and let the referee make the decision. Then, see what happens. If it’s a clear and obvious error, then VAR will get involved.”

Following the defeat against the Blues, Leeds sit on 14 points after winning four and drawing two of their opening 11 Premier League matches (per BBC).

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