The Premier League have confirmed their latest round of referee appointments with Tony Harrington to take charge of Leeds United vs Brentford.
Leeds kick off their home league campaign on Sunday afternoon after two encouraging trips to Nottingham Forest in the past week. Daniel Farke’s side won 1-0 in the Premier League before a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory on Tuesday, courtesy of goals from Daniel James and James Justin.
Sunday’s meeting will be between two of the top-flight’s bright starters, with visitors Brentford also enjoying back-to-back wins in league and cup. They produced a brilliant performance to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 last weekend before a 6-1 thumping of Birmingham City during the week.
Leeds United head into Sunday off the back of consecutive wins at Nottingham Forest.placeholder image
Leeds United head into Sunday off the back of consecutive wins at Nottingham Forest. | Getty Images
Ahead of Sunday’s Elland Road clash, the Premier League have confirmed the appointment of Harrington as referee. He will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Akil Howson, with Farai Hallam between the dugouts as fourth official and Neil Davies on VAR duties in Stockley Park.
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Harrington took charge of 12 Premier League matches last season, blowing for 19.67 fouls and brandishing 3.17 yellow cards per game on average. That made him one of the top-flight’s more lenient officials while a handful of Championship matches produced similar numbers.
Leeds only had Harrington in charge of one fixture last season, that being their 1-1 draw at Sunderland in December. The game passed without major controversy and only one yellow card was awarded, but the referee’s leniency was on show at the Stadium of Light after a couple of late challenges on Joe Rodon.
The centre-back was forced off with an ankle injury during the first-half of that draw after twice being caught late by Sunderland attackers. Striker Brian Brobbey and his right-wing teammate Simon Adingra both followed through on the Welshman by accident, leaving him writhing in pain both times.
Rodon missed Premier League meetings with Liverpool and Manchester United as a result of that injury, ending a run of more than two years without missing a league game for Leeds. The Whites had just gone a goal down by the point of his removal but equalised through a lovely team goal finished by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.