Ex-Fifa official issues emphatic verdict on Leeds United controversy
The referee made the right call by delaying the kick-off of Blackpool’s pre-season friendly against Leeds United at York City last week (7 July), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted it was “no problem” and the referee will have trained for the possibility.
The kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes as fans struggled to get in the LNER Stadium on time for the 7 pm start time.
Jesse Marsch’s side proceeded to dominate the game against Blackpool scoring four goals in their first game of pre-season.
Robin Koch, Junior Firpo Rodrigo and Mateo Joseph scored the goals for the Whites against Championship opposition.
“It’s part of your role that you train for,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I think the referee did well to delay to ensure that fans got value for money.
“Sometimes in pre-season games, you don’t know how many people are going to turn up. I don’t know what the average is at the new ground York but let’s say it is in the low 1000s then suddenly they get a surge of Leeds fans.
“They probably already thought ‘This pre-season friendly will give us a boost of money’. When professional clubs go to non-league or semi-pro cubs, the impact that has…
“The 10-minute delay is no problem. There’s extra funds coming on another cup of tea or another beer.”
Marsch’s side are next in action later this week in Australia when they face three games in eight days.
They kick things off against Brisbane Roar on Thursday (14 July) before facing Premier League side Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
In other news, a Leeds United employee expects a midfielder transfer to be agreed after confirmed news.