Tom Lockyer and Billy Sharp have both questioned why Leeds United were not awarded a penalty at Carrow Road in the play-off semi-final first-leg clash against Norwich City.
It was not the first time that referee Josh Smith has felt the ferocity of Leeds fans as he chose not to give a penalty for a tackle on Willy Gnonto by Norwich’s Borja Sainz, despite Sainz making contact with Gnonto.
The initial contact which was a bit of grappling on the upper body started outside the penalty area but as Gnonto made his way into the box, it looked as if Sainz had slid in to win the ball and got nowhere near it.
Down went Gnonto in the sixth minute after an electric start from the Italy ace, who had previously put in a great ball for Georginio Rutter to shoot but the out-of-form Frenchman failed to connect with his shot.
Gnonto’s appeal was big and his frustration evident, and understandable. Smith chose not to give a spot kick and it saw Gnonto become annoyed, with Daniel Farke even saying he thought he might be sent off.
Scott Minto thought it was a penalty but instead, Leeds ended up drawing 0-0 even after a very close offside call as Junior Firpo scored. Lockyer and Sharp discussed the incident at half-time on Sky Sports.
Here is what the Luton City and Hull City stars said about the shout for a penalty:
Lockyer and Sharp blast referee Smith for Gnonto incident
It looked pretty clear but with VAR lacking, Smith’s decision was final and play went on. Ultimately, the game ended in a 0-0 draw which remains a solid result for Leeds given the first leg was away from home.
Smith has come under the microscope of Leeds fans before, sending Illan Meslier off during the 2-1 loss to Preston during the winter period. Lockyer thinks it might have been given, if it was after 30 minutes.
“It’s certainly a foul. I don’t know if it’s a penalty but it’s certainly a foul. I wouldn’t like to say but maybe 30 minutes into the game that gets given. Because it was so early I’m not sure what the ref is thinking.”
Former Leeds striker Sharp added: “If that’s at Elland Road it gets given. The ref was a bit unsure so he’s obviously not given it but initially, it looked like a foul and a penalty. Like Tom says, it’s definitely a foul.”
What Daniel Farke said about the penalty incident after full-time
Farke was as honest as ever in his post-match verdict and says that when it initially happened, he was convinced that Smith should be pointing to the penalty spot and giving Leeds the chance to take a lead.
However, the German gaffer admitted that having watched replays, he thinks the contact started outside the box and that is where the initial foul is committed, meaning he felt Leeds only deserved a free-kick.
Farke said in his post-match press conference, as per Leeds Live: “During the game I was convinced it was a penalty, but replay shows me it started outside the box for a free-kick.”
