EFL make controversial official announcement ahead of Sunderland vs Leeds United
EFL make controversial official announcement ahead of Sunderland vs Leeds United
Daniel Farke and Regis Le Bris will be seething after hearing what the EFL have done prior to Leeds United’s clash with Sunderland.
A potential promotion-deciding game takes place on Monday night at Elland Road as Leeds face Sunderland in a crucial match.
A seven-point gap is the current field of play between the two sides, but a win for either club will mean a huge boost to their promotion chances.
Sunderland hope former Leeds player Ian Poveda returns as they’ll be plenty of talking points ahead of the gruelling fixture.
But the main talking point has got to be the controversial announcement from the EFL that has not gone down well.
EFL make controversial Leeds vs Sunderland decision
Leeds will be used to controversy as it’s never a dull season at the Yorkshire-based side.
But even the Whites fanbase might be taken back by this at such a pivotal point of the season.
The EFL have confirmed Craig Pawson will take charge when Leeds face Sunderland this Monday, as Farke and Le Bris might question the announcement.
You might be thinking, it’s only a referee decision? Well, it’s much more than that.
Leeds and Sunderland fume at Sheffield United fan Craig Pawson
The Whites have had their fair share of refereeing howlers this season, as Farke was angered at a decision against Coventry.
Despite even winning the game against Frank Lampard’s side, the Leeds boss doesn’t let things slide, and although he’s not had a bad run-in with Pawson at Leeds, his allegiance has caused discomfort.
Pawson is a Sheffield United fan, as the Blades sit just two points behind Leeds, but there is even more to this controversial decision.
In 2021, Leeds fans might remember a visit from Liverpool, where Pascal Struijk was sent off for a challenge on Harvey Elliott which brought up controversy at the time.
Struijk won the ball with his original challenge but caught Elliott’s trailing leg.
After play continued, Pawson decided to dismiss Struijk leaving the Leeds defender in shock.
It made matters even worse for Pawson when the Liverpool midfielder himself wrote on his Instagram: “Wasn’t his fault whatsoever. Neither was it a red card, just a freak accident.”
Leeds fans react to Sheffield United fan Pawson being appointed
Tim Robinson was appointed the last time Leeds and Sunderland met, as Farke previously had a rant about Robinson, and he might do the same with Pawson after Monday night’s outcome.
Leeds fans are already unhappy with the situation, as they’ve let their frustration be known, raising concern about the revelation.
@dd_eyre wasn’t happy saying: “@FA_PGMOL @EFL @EFL_Comms @LUFC why is Craig Pawson a Sheffield United fan being allowed to referee Leeds United v Sunderland on Monday night? If you can’t see a conflict of interest then you must be blind! He has shown is anti-Leeds United bias on more than one occasion #lufc.”
It’s a peculiar decision from the EFL, but if there are any contentious decisions, prepare for uproar.
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