Keith Hackett has lambasted referee Ben Toner for a decision he made in the second half of the Leeds United-Middlesbrough match.
Toner’s decision to book Anfernee Dijksteel in the second half confused the visiting players after frustrating them in the first half with a call.
On talkSPORT 2, analyst Danny Mills expressed his dissatisfaction with the judgement, claiming that Boro should have received a free kick instead of a yellow card.
Former FIFA referee Hackett exclusively telling MOT Leeds News: “I find myself nodding in agreement with pundit Danny Mills regarding referee Toner’s action not to penalise the Leeds player, who was holding onto his opponent’s arm during a Middlesbrough attack on their opponents’ goal. This was a major mistake.
“That holding offence threw the Boro player off balance and caused him to collide with his opponent. Middlesbrough were in a position to shoot when Toner stopped play and to the surprise of everyone issued a yellow card to the Middlesbrough player, who had been held.
“There was no debate about the Middlesbrough player being held, and it was sustained until the player was able to free himself. The Middlesbrough player received a yellow card for a challenge that was clearly illegal. He did not engage in a hazardous challenge.
“Unfortunately, there is no procedure for appealing that yellow card.” It was a very poor piece of officiating by referee Toner, who earlier had failed to award Middlesbrough a penalty kick.”
Leeds United benefited from refereeing decisions against Middlesbrough.
Boro had a strong penalty appeal turned down, and one of their players was incorrectly booked in this incident.
Manor Solomon pulled back on Dijksteel’s arm, causing the Boro player to lose balance and take out Joe Rothwell.
Leeds’ 3-1 victory at Elland Road on Tuesday (10 December) was well-deserved, as even Michael Carrick agreed.
Worse mistakes than this will be made between now and the end of the season, and the more that go the Whites’ way, the higher their chances of automatic promotion.
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