Chelsea protested a possible Jayden Bogle handball in the build-up to Leeds United’s midweek equaliser.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has cleared up the rules surrounding Leeds United’s supposedly controversial equaliser at Chelsea.
Leeds fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with second-half strikes from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor capping off a resilient performance. Both goals came as a result of chaos caused by Jayden Bogle, who won a penalty before starting a scramble that finished with Okafor rolling into an empty net.
The Chelsea players protested with referee Rob Jones as Leeds celebrated their equaliser, claiming a Bogle handball as he charged into the box. Replays showed the ball flicked off the right-back’s thigh and onto his elbow, with Jones and the VAR team adjudging it to have been accidental.
“It strikes him, there’s no doubt about that,” the former Premier League referee told Sky Sports’ Ref Watch. “Is it deliberate? No, I don't think so.
“Does it lead directly to a goal for him? Definitely no because if you watch the sequence, three Chelsea players touch the ball in between. It eventually goes in way after that incident so it doesn’t meet the criteria.”
A report from The Daily Mail on Wednesday actually revealed that Chelsea had made contact with refereeing body the PGMOL over the decision. The conversation was said to be ‘civil’ and ‘respectful’, with head coach Rosenior not showing a clear understanding of the rules in his post-match comments.
Jay Bothrody on Leeds United handball
With so much happening between the ball striking Bogle’s elbow and the actual goal, it would only have been pulled back had it been a deliberate handball offence. Referee Jones evidently deemed it accidental and VAR assistant John Brooks did not see a clear and obvious error that needed to be challenged.
Former striker Jay Bothroyd was also on Ref Watch and agreed the handball was accidental, with the rules correctly applied. He believed Rosenior was mainly upset with how the unfortunate situation led to a decisive goal against Chelsea.
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“I think the reason why Rosenior is upset about this is because even though that is an accidental handball, that situation has led to a goal,” Bothroyd added. “I think that's why he would be saying ‘I’m upset with this’.
“Of course we know the rules, that player hasn't scored or even directly assisted, but ultimately that whole situation has come about because its hit his arm. From Chelsea’s point of view, the ball hitting his elbow leads to a goal.
“It’s accidental handball, there’s no doubt about that. But obviously because it’s happened, Rosenior is saying it’s led to a situation where his defenders are panicking and a goal has come from it.”
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