The referee has been picked for Leeds United’s trip to Norwich City on Sunday as The Whites go up against The Canaries at Carrow Road in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Leeds have been left to fight it out for the remaining promotion place in the play-off after failing to hold onto second place in the Championship, with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich winning promotion in second.
It sees Leeds go up against Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals with Daniel Farke’s men going up against The German’s old club. Leeds have beaten Norwich both home and away, but only by one goal.
Southampton beat Leeds last Saturday and finished in fourth place, which sees Russell Martin’s side do battle against West Brom. The Baggies beat Preston 3-0 on Saturday, meaning Leeds go against Norwich.
The EFL announced today that Josh Smith will be the man in the middle for the clash against Norwich in the first leg. Smith has refereed four of the Yorkshire club’s matches during the 2023-24 campaign.
Josh Smith appointed referee as Leeds face Norwich on Sunday
Smith has refereed 35 matches this season, including four games in the Premier League but mostly in the Championship. He has taken charge of four Leeds matches, including the opening game against Cardiff.
A 2-2 draw that saw Crysencio Summerville scored in the final moments to nab a point at Elland Road. Smith has also refereed a 2-1 Championship win over Plymouth at home, but a loss and a draw as well.
He oversaw our defeat to Preston in which Leeds were reduced to 10 men, as Illan Meslier was sent off harshly for a push on Preston’s Milutin Osmanjic who threw himself to the deck as Meslier pushed him.
The other game saw Leeds beat Hull City 3-1, the Whites scoring two late goals atElland Road to finally get over the line against Liam Rosenior’s Hull who has since been harshly sacked by the Yorkshire side.
Smith has also refereed two Norwich games during 2023-24
The referee was in charge as Norwich suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Blackburn back in November, a game before taking charge of Leeds’ 2-1 win over Plymouth in which he sent off Blackburn’s Scott Wharton.
He was also given the reigns of the East Anglian derby between Ipswich and Norwich which finished in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road in December. He knows both clubs well then, and has the experience for it.
Hopefully, Smith is not tempted to hand out an eighth red card of the season having dished out seven already in his 35 games, an average of one every five matches during the 2023-24 campaign.