Daniel Farke was shown a yellow card for his protestations at the red card decision that went against Leeds United in their draw at Preston North End.
Both Farke and a member of North End’s coaching staff were booked by referee John Busby after tempers flared on the touchline between the two benches following the incident.
Leeds were left absolutely incensed when already booked Ben Whiteman went lunging into a challenge on Jayden Bogle, catching him firmly with his follow through.
Some referees would have adjudged to have been enough for a straight red card, yet somehow Busby opted against showing him a second yellow.
Paul Heckingbottom has even admitted Whiteman should’ve been sent off, with his decision to substitute him at half-time clear evidence of that.
Farke shares what he told PNE assistant on touchline
Farke is not usually one to hide his frustration at the fourth official on the touchline, but on this occasion was when it really boiled over.
The Leeds boss was baffled by Busby’s decision to keep his cards in his pocket and so of course approached one of his assistants to ask why it was the case.
However, up stepped one of Heckingbottom’s assistants to get involved in the situation, something which angered Farke even more.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke claimed he has every right to speak to the officials about the decision and told the member of PNE’s staff as such when he got up and approached him.
He said: “I don’t want to judge the referee today. I have a good relationship with him. I spoke to him, but I won’t say anything publicly on him.
“Whiteman felt at least a yellow card the second time. Nasty foul. I am not calling for reds after full-time. Subbed at half-time. He knew what he had to do. I should be allowed to speak to the fourth official about why this is not a yellow card.
“A member of the opposition staff should not be stopping me from talking to a fourth. I would have argued with Paul, but when someone else comes to tell me to sit down, after 200 games, achieved a bit, manager of Leeds United. I showed some steel and told him what to do.
“I don’t know his name, but he tells me to go away. You think I should accept that as manager of Leeds United? I had to show some steel and back my lads. Why I have got a yellow card for this? I don’t know.
“Same fourth official at 1-0 down and they are time wasting, there are so many breaks in the second half. He kept telling me the time will be added. Never played less than four minutes in a game like this.
“How can it be? In such a game when one team is chasing and the other is surviving. Lowest minutes I have seen in the Championship.”
Farke pleased with Leeds’ attitude
Switching focus back towards his own team, Farke was mostly pleased with how Leeds refused to ever be beaten.
Ultimately, he feels as though the late equaliser was just reward for his side’s performance, and thinks it will do their confidence good.
He said: “Difficult game. Liked how we improved in this game and grew into it. Did not allow them another good chance. We tried to turn the game and equalise earlier. Won all the stats and they say we should win this game, but we had to keep pushing.
“Changed the formation twice, made a lot of subs. Well-deserved equaliser. Would have been pleased without the equaliser. Still on two points per game average. We never know when we are beaten. Good for our reputation and confidence.”
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