adminVAR decision questioned after ‘nasty’ incident in Sunderland v Leeds United
Leeds United face former Championship promotion rivals Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Leeds United’s visit to Sunderland was always likely to be a feisty affair as the former Championship promotion rivals looked to continue their impressive form upon their return to the Premier League.
The Black Cats went into the game looking to continue their unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light and continue what has been a surprisingly impressive push for a European place.
For Leeds, the visit to the North East offered an opportunity to extend their recent upturn of form that has given Daniel Farke’s men some breathing space to the relegation places and raised hopes the Whites can extend their top flight stay beyond a solitary season.
In an energetic opening period, there was a major injury concern for Farke as key defender Joe Rodon went to ground following a challenge from Brian Brobbey.
There was no blame placed upon the hosts striker – but former Leeds frontman Michael Bridges questioned whether a second challenge on Rodon from Brobbey’s team-mate Simon Adingra could and should have captured the attention of the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.
The Ivory Coast international appeared caught Rodon with his trailing leg and the Whites star’s ankle appeared to roll underneath him as he suffered an injury that brought a premature end to his involvement in the game. To compound Leeds’ misfortune, Adingra went on to open the scoring just minutes later as his side took a narrow lead into the break.
Nasty
AFP via Getty Images
Speaking as part of Sky Sports commentary team at the Stadium of Light, former Whites striker Bridges said: “I think this one is a lot worse for Joe Rodon. Adingra doesn’t catch him with the initial leg, it’s the trailing leg again. The way his ankle rolls, just have a look, it kind of tweaks, that’s not nice. I can’t see Joe coming back from that one.
I can understand why this one (the Brobbey challenge) wasn’t given as a yellow card because it’s the trailing leg and there’s no intent there. But this second one, because Adingra is so close to him, the knee comes down and rolled the ankle, and it could even go to VAR to have a look at that. It’s nasty.
admin
