Referee Stephen Martin was the centre of attention for Leeds United and Norwich City on Tuesday night with Leeds fans, player and manager Daniel Farke increasingly frustrated by him.
Going into the game, the history looked good. Martin reffed four of Leeds‘ Championship fixtures last season and Leeds kept four clean sheets in those matches, clocking up 10 points from a possible 12.
Joe Rodon though, was sent off by Martin in a 0-0 draw against Hull. Last night, Martin did not please Leeds fans, the away end at one point in the first half celebrating free-kicks Leeds did eventually receive.
There were a couple of issues that enraged those of a Leeds persuasion. Daniel Farke felt Wilfried Gnonto should have had a penalty in the second half, claiming referees make it easy for themselves with Gnonto.
But in the first half, Borja Sainz went through the back of Aaronson clumsily but some how, the Spaniard escaped a yellow card. Moments later, substitute midfielder Joe Rothwell was awarded a yellow card.
Joe Rothwell yellow enraged Daniel Farke according to Bryn Law
While it was a poor tackle from Rothwell, going in late on Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean, it was a harsh yellow. Nonetheless, it would have been accepted had Sainz been given the same punishment.
While commentating on LUTV, Bryn Law shared how the yellow card awarded to Rothwell enraged Farke on the touchline. Branding the Leeds boss “animated”, Law said he spoke at length to the fourth official.
“Rothwell could go into the book here. If he does, and Sainz didn’t. Oh he is. What on Earth? Well Daniel Farke is inevitably, having a long and animated conversation with the fourth official here,” Law said.
Tony Dorigo also commented on Joe Rothwell’s yellow card
Like Farke and indeed Law, Dorigo couldn’t understand the lack of consistency shown by referee Martin. Sainz’s foul was a nailed-on yellow card and yet, Martin and even the linesman chose against a yellow.
Dorigo said, on LUTV: “All you want is some consistency so you know what’s what. The Sainz challenge on Aaronson was a really poor one. He gets away with it, Rothwell’s isn’t as bad and he goes into the book.”
Luckily, Aaronson was unharmed and lasted the entire match. Hopefully, he can shake off the off bruise or knock and be available when Leeds go up against Sunderland on Friday night at the Stadium of Light.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
