LEEDS fans were left incensed by Andre Marriner’s decision to send off Liam Cooper during their stunning victory over Manchester City.
Their skipper was dismissed for a high challenge on Gabriel Jesus, having initially been booked before VAR upgraded the punishment.
With the West Yorkshire side winning 1-0 just before half-time, Cooper was shown a yellow card for fouling Jesus.
The defender did get the ball but was reckless, catching the Brazilian’s right knee with his studs.
Referee Marriner initially awarded a yellow card for the challenge but was informed by the VAR official to have a second look.
Having watched the slowed-down footage, Marriner upgraded Cooper’s punishment to a red card.
Leeds’ hopes of a shock win against the champions-elect appeared to have gone in the 75th minute when Ferran Torres equalised.
But a 91st minute strike from Stuart Dallas, who scored the opener just moments before Cooper was sent off, secured all three points for the ten men.
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Cooper’s dismissal had left Leeds fans fuming on social media, with many claiming he got the ball.
One wrote on Twitter: “Complete and utter joke the state of decisions in this league!”
Another wrote: “Absolute travesty. This isn’t football anymore.”
But others have backed the decision, with one tweeting: “That is so obviously a red card. Ridiculously high, very late.”
Marriner’s verdict was also supported by both Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott, BT Sport’s pundits for the game.
Ferdinand, who played for Leeds between 2000 and 2002, said: “When you come off your feet like that, it [a red card] is the letter of the law… it’s a bad tackle.”
Former City defender Lescott added: “He got a piece of the ball, but there’s no need to tackle like that. It’s a bad tackle and the right decision.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
