‘I really do believe’ – Ex-refs chief: Referee ‘deceived’ amid Ethan Ampadu controversy in Liechtenstein vs Wales
Leeds United star Ethan Ampadu has every right to be frustrated following a crucial sanction during Wales’ win over Liechtenstein.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Juxhin Xhaja was “deceived” by Severin Schlegel on Saturday, 15 November.
Multiple Leeds players were in action at the Rheinpark Stadion, as Craig Bellamy‘s side took an important step towards securing a World Cup play-off spot, especially after Belgium’s draw against Kazakhstan.
Ampadu was chosen to captain Wales due to Ben Davies‘ withdrawal earlier in the window, but the 25-year-old will now be unavailable against the next game after an innocuous challenge late on.
Ethan Ampadu picks up an unfair booking in Wales win, and it could have major repercussions
In the 87th minute, the midfielder fairly won the ball back, but not in the referee’s eyes, who got his card out, also doing the same thing to Jordan James and Lewis Koumas. The former is also suspended.
“The action of Ethan Ampadu‘s opponent going to ground clearly deceived the referee. I really do believe that Ampadu played the ball and was not reckless, or even worthy of a free-kick.
“It’s a poor decision and, again, there is no right to appeal against a yellow card,” with the midfielder now unavailable to face North Macedonia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, 18 November.
Bellamy now has a huge predicament on his hands ahead of Tuesday’s clash in the capital, with the manager’s favourite midfield duo now both having to watch from the stands instead of playing.
Daniel Farke will be secretly relieved as Leeds United star suspended
Daniel Farke might have been without Gabriel Gudmundsson following an unusual injury while away with the Sweden national team, but the full-back was back in action against Switzerland.
Dan James also completed over an hour of football, having not long returned from injury himself, though Sebastiaan Bornauw and Willy Gnonto are both doubts against Aston Villa.
The Whites are currently sitting 16th in the Premier League table, so relegation back to the Championship is certainly a concern. Farke needs all the positive news possible right now.
It is now extremely unlikely that Ampadu picks up an injury before returning to Elland Road, now suspended for Wales’ game, and that will be a tiny boost for the Leeds manager.