Leeds news: Whelan fumes as BBC’s Patrick Bamford footage analysed
Noel Whelan has claimed the decision to penalise Leeds United star Patrick Bamford for a foul on Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes was “soft”.
The former Whites striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the incident would not have been a foul anywhere outside the 18-yard box.
As seen on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 (16 October), Bamford saw his 46th-minute goal chalked off after being adjudged to have fouled Gabriel with a push before finishing into the roof of the net.
Leeds United were eventually defeated 1-0 despite Bamford having the opportunity to level from the spot after William Saliba’s handball.
The England international and Gabriel also clashed just before the final whistle, with the Brazillian initially being shown a red card – which was later downgraded to a caution after a VAR review.
The Whites now sit 15th in the Premier League – one point clear of the drop zone after nine games.
Whelan insisted Bamford was simply “too strong” for Gabriel.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think it’s soft.
“If it happens outside the box, then we’re playing on. You’d just ask your player to be a bit stronger.
“It was just the fact that it was inside that 18-yard box. It’s a physical game. I just think Patrick was too strong for Gabriel, and to me – it’s a goal.
“But it’s just a difference in opinion from one week to the next. It’s always going to vary depending on who is in the VAR box.
“On another day, it could’ve been a goal – and in the end, it proved the difference in getting something out of the game.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire claims Leeds United will no longer be “sold short” in talks after behind-the-scenes reveal.