Mark Clattenberg comments on ‘unforgivable’ Leeds United offside decisions, addresses linesman’s future
After only one victory in the previous six games, Leeds traveled to The Riverside in the intense pressure cooker that is the Championship promotion battle. Daniel Farke’s team, in third place, gave up a five-point lead.
Even though Middlesbrough applied more pressure in the closing minutes, Leeds managed to hold on for a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Dan James in the second minute. Even though they scored three excellent goals that evening, that is.
When Ao Tanaka poked in a Manor Solomon cross at the back post, replays revealed that he was onside. After being played in by Willy Gnonto, Patrick Bamford then scored on his 200th appearance.
Mark Clattenburg says Leeds United offsides were “unforgivable”
However, even though replays indicated that Bamford’s goal was onside, similar to Tanaka’s effort, it was also disallowed. Interestingly, assistant referee Darren Williams has given goals offside to Leeds before.
In the recent 2-0 victory over Millwall, Williams disallowed Joel Piroe’s goal and negated Gnonto’s attempt against Coventry. Legendary referee Mark Clattenburg, who criticized Williams, was interviewed by LeedsUnited.News.
“There is no excuse for the two offside calls that went wrong. One would wonder how the same assistant referee, who has made mistakes in the past this season, is still in charge of the Football League’s top division.
“I am sure PGMOL and his coaches will be looking at this and trying to improve his future performances. The cry for VAR will rumble on in the Championship,” Clattenburg told LeedsUnited.News after full-time.
“They have goal line technology and maybe the next step is to have offside covered by the technology which are still factual decisions but wrong decisions can have a massive impact on a club,” he continued.
What Daniel Farke said about Darren Williams after full-time
Farke decided not to speak out or implicate himself because he saw how crucial it was to avoid being barred from the touchline during the season’s final five games. However, he was shocked by the choices.
Farke told reporters, “There is nothing I can do. I have to watch the game from the gantry if I have a big speech to give. usually on the referee’s side. However, I’m having trouble finding the right phrases today.
Neil Warnock and Jermaine Beckford were undoubtedly incensed. However, Sheffield United’s loss to Millwall at home and Burnley’s tie with Derby County do bring the Whites back to the top of the table.
