LEEDS, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Referee Chris Kavanagh rescinds the red card for Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal, changing it to a yellow card during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal FC at Elland Road on October 16, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Three of Leeds United’s season’s worst refereeing decisions, including two from a single game.
This season, Leeds United has once again had to adjust to playing without VAR.
It was used at every Whites match over the previous three seasons in the Premier League, but it has yet to be adopted in the Championship.
Overall, most fans are relieved that it will be gone for at least a season, although it does increase the likelihood of refereeing errors brought on by human error.
Leeds has already had a number of crucial decisions go against them after just 11 games of the season, which some could claim has cost them points.
In light of that, let’s take a look at the three worst ones from this season so far.
West Brom and Leeds draw 1-1 (goal by Thomas-Asante)
With Brandon Thomas-Asante obviously directing the ball into the net with his hand, this goal would have been categorically disallowed if VAR had been in place.
Leeds were in control with the score at 0-0 when West Brom scored from a horrific corner that somehow reached Jayson Molumby inside the box to take the lead.
He fired a shot toward the net, which Thomas-Asante deflected with his palm past Illan Meslier to give West Brom the lead.
Leeds drew even with West Brom (Gelhardt’s goal attempt)
This season, Leeds has failed to receive a penalty, which is absurd given the situation surrounding Joe Gelhardt against West Brom.
Gelhardt ran onto a wonderful ball that Dan James played into the box before Baggies center-back Cedric Kipre.
Before Kipre recklessly took a massive swipe at the Leeds player and pulled him down, Gelhardt barely touched the ball. The official somehow responded with a negative.
Hull City 0–0 Leeds (Rodon receives first caution)
When Leeds was clearly in control of the game against Hull City last month, the game ended in a tie, and Joe Rodon was handed his marching orders for a second bookable offense.
With one of the softest yellows you will ever see, Rodon shouldn’t have been in that scenario in the first place, even though he had no concerns about the second card.
On the review, it was evident that Jaden Philogene was already down under little to no contact when the center-back was thought to have been stopping a counterattack on him.
Daniel Farke stated in the press conference following the game that it wasn’t even a foul.
