Credit: TNT Sports

Oliver Walton

Wed 4 March 2026 7:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for his excessive celebrating after he scored his side’s winner against Leeds United on Tuesday night.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that Stuart Attwell should have sent the 22-year-old off for standing on the advertising hoardings while on a booking.

Leeds were beaten 1-0 by Sunderland at Elland Road after Diarra dispatched a 70th-minute penalty to send Regis Le Bris’ side 11th in the Premier League.

The hosts created more chances throughout the game, but left empty-handed and now stay just six points ahead of the relegation zone as it stands.

Diarra’s winner sparked jubilant scenes in the Elland Road away end as Black Cats fans celebrated with their players, but they were lucky to have played out the rest of the match with 11 men on the pitch.

Keith Hackett explains why Habib Diarra should have been sent off

Diarra was everywhere in the second half as the game became gritty and more hard-fought than ever, and he picked up a yellow card in the 58th minute for a late tackle on Brenden Aaronson.

He then scored 12 minutes later, and sprinted over to the away fans before climbing onto the advertising hoardings to take in their celebrations.

That is a bookable offence, and former PGMOL chief Hackett has told Football Insider that Diarra was fortunate to stay on the pitch as a result.

He said: “The actions of the scorer to climb onto the perimeter advertising board is an offence and should have resulted in a yellow card.

“Referees are advised to apply this sanction because of the danger of a crowd surge that could result in crushing injuries to fans of his own club.

“(Diarra) has got away with this, but he needs to be advised that his actions put his own fans at risk.”

Dan Ballard’s new contract looks a shrewd move after latest fine showing

Sources have told Football Insider that Sunderland want to sign a new striker in the summer amid uncertainty around Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda as their backups to Brian Brobbey.

One position that they contrastingly look very strong in right now is centre-back, especially after Ballard signed a new contract on Sunday to extend his Stadium of Light stay to 2029.

He was his usual immense self at Elland Road on Tuesday night, with 16 defensive contributions to help Sunderland emerge with a vital clean sheet.

The Black Cats fans can not only rest assured that he will be staying this summer, but they also now look completely safe from relegation after reaching the coveted 40-point mark in the Premier League.