Leeds United fans had plenty to say about Paul Heckingbottom’s half-time changes for Preston in their Championship clash on Saturday.
Preston hosted Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. Daniel Farke faced one of his Leeds predecessors in Paul Heckingbottom whose Preston side started the day in 14th place of the Championship table, compared to Leeds who started in 2nd.
And Leeds left it late to rescue a point with Mateo Joseph coming off the bench and scoring in injury time. Leeds were initially behind at the break owing to Brad Potts’ goal midway through the first 45, but controversy struck soon after.
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Leeds United fans react as Ben Whiteman substituted at half-time for Preston
A key moment in the game came in the first half when midfielder Ben Whiteman flew into Jayden Bogle on his return to the Leeds United squad.
Whiteman was on a yellow card at the time, but avoided a second. Instead, referee John Busby booked Farke for his protests.
Heckingbottom then withdrew Whiteman at the break which understandably drew a reaction from fuming Leeds fans on social media.
Leeds fans’ comments ranged from ‘Tells you everything’, ‘Worst referee decision of season’, and just ‘Shock!’.
Another weighed in with ‘Speaks volumes’, as a couple of Leeds fans suggested that even Preston knew Whiteman was lucky to avoid a second yellow.
‘Even they know he’s lucky’ said one fan, as another added: ‘They know it was a red’. ‘Of course they have’ mentioned another frustrated Leeds supporter.
Coincidentally, Busby left former Leeds United no.2 Carlos Corberan fuming earlier in the season, by not awarding what the West Brom boss thought was an obvious penalty in his side’s game against Blackburn Rovers.
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Not the first time this season Daniel Farke has been fuming with a referee
In the end, Farke will have been relieved to see his side take a point at Preston. But it could’ve been more if Whiteman was sent off in the first half.
For Farke, the frustration with Busby isn’t anything new. Earlier this season, Farke was fuming with a refereeing decision in Leeds’ game at Swansea City, which his side won 4-3 in the end.
Ao Tanaka was deemed to have fouled a Swansea player and the Swans went on to score from a dead ball.
Farke said at the time: “The first goal, we could have defended a little sharper. I think also, it was a bit unlucky because it was never a foul for the free-kick for them.”
Refereeing decisions continue to be a huge talking point for clubs in the Championship. Leeds though must continue to make their own luck.
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