‘Get rid’ – Leeds fans want Illan Meslier axed after display in 2-1 defeat to Preston
Leeds United fans want Illan Meslier axed after his “embarrassing” red card in their 2-1 Championship loss to Preston North End on Tuesday (26 December).
The Frenchman was given his marching orders by referee Josh Smith after shoving Milutin Osmajic in the face early in the second half.
Meslier got face-to-face with Preston’s Benjamin Whiteman, but Osmajic quickly emerged to goad the goalkeeper in an attempt to break up their argument.
However, tensions reached boiling point and Meslier’s swipe sparked an over-the-top reaction from Osmajic directly in front of the referee.
After protests from Meslier and his teammates, he trudged off the field to sarcastic jeers from the home fans.
The clash was 0-0 at the time of the incident, but Preston made quick work of exploiting ten-man Leeds with Alan Browne netting just four minutes later.
Travelling Leeds fans had their Boxing Day ruined by the 2-1 loss and Liam Millar’s 89th-minute winner for the Lilywhites added insult to injury.
Meslier will now miss the next three games after the incident having started all of Leeds’ Championship matches this season.
Farke admitted after the game that Meslier should not have raised his hands but he did not feel that he should have been dismissed.
Fans have taken to social media in a fury and, while some simply want him dropped, others are adamant that Leeds need to cash in.
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