Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg says he can understand Daniel Farke’s frustration with a controversial decision that went against Leeds United against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds United slipped to a frustrating 3-1 defeat at the City Ground, throwing away a strong position after Lukas Nmecha had given them the lead.
However, Daniel Farke was incensed at full-time, calling out referee Jarred Gillett for awarding a foul against midfielder Anton Stach in the build-up to Forest’s second goal.
Former Leeds defender Jon Newsome criticised Farke at full-time, claiming he was burying his head in the sand by drawing attention to the referee’s decision, rather than his side’s defensive failings.
Now, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has given his view on the incident exclusively to Leeds United News.
Mark Clattenburg during his refereeing career.
Photo by Jordan Peck/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg delivers verdict on incident which angered Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
Speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, Clattenburg said he could understand why Farke was frustrated that his side were not awarded a free-kick.
However, Clattenburg believes the incident was a 50/50 call, as there was contact from both players and Leeds still had plenty of opportunities to prevent the goal.
Clattenburg said: “Jarred Gillett, the referee, penalised Anton Stach for a foul on Neco Williams near the touchline, which then, from the free kick, led to Nottingham Forest scoring the second goal.
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“It looks like Gillett had penalised Stach for coming across Williams, and there is a small contact on his opponent’s knee.
“This could have gone either way, as after the contact, Williams catches Stach, which was a free kick. I understand the frustration of the Leeds United coach, but it’s not a major mistake from the referee and could have easily been defended.”
Daniel Farke looks on during Nottingham Forest v Leeds United - Premier League
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What did Daniel Farke say about the foul on Anton Stach?
Farke took aim at the referee in a post-match interview with BBC Radio Leeds, in which he claimed that the “whole stadium” saw the foul on Stach.
Having already given a direct view on why Dan James was left out of the side, Farke did not hold back in his assessment of the referee’s performance, claiming Forest’s goal would “have never happened” had the referee made the right call.
Farke said: “First of all, a mistake from the referee because I think he was the only one in the whole stadium who saw a foul from Anton Stach.
“Actually, it was a foul against him, and we would have had a good situation with a free kick in the opponent’s half. Why did he give a free kick to them?
“Long ball, out of this five seconds later, cross comes in, they score a goal. It would have never happened if he had played by the rules, if I’m honest.”