Junior Firpo verdict emerges after reckless West Brom v Leeds United incident
Chris Foy has agreed with referee Samuel Allison’s decision to only yellow card Junior Firpo as West Brom drew 0-0 with Leeds United on Saturday (17 August).
The Leeds full-back was involved in a controversial clash with Jayson Molumby, with many Baggies fans calling for a red card to be shown, before being cautioned by the referee.
The former Premier League referee, however, believes the correct decision was made, citing that both players were making an attempt to play the ball.
Speaking to Sky Sports’ Behind the Whistle on Wednesday (21 August), Foy said: “This incident requires the referee to consider the speed, intensity and force of the challenge and make a real-time judgement as to whether this is a serious foul play challenge and a red card.
“My view is that the referee makes a good decision here by opting to show a yellow card to the Leeds Number three for a reckless challenge. It’s clear that West Brom’s number eight and Leeds’ number three both look to challenge for the ball, however, West Brom’s number eight gets there first.
“Leeds’ number three arrives later and makes contact, however, he retracts his leg as the two players collide which reduces the force in the challenge. Whilst there is speed in the challenge, with both players competing for the ball in the air and no excessive force used by Leeds’ number three, a yellow card is the right outcome.”
Junior Firpo escapes red card in West Brom v Leeds United
Many Baggies fans will disagree with Foy’s new verdict on the controversial incident, but the correct decision was probably made in the end.
Referees can often be too hasty with their decisions on the pitch, which usually end in the game being ruined or the 10 men being battered on their own goal line.
While the two sides went on to play out a 0-0 stalemate at The Hawthorns, Carlos Corberan was probably the happier of the two managers after picking up an important point at home.
The Baggies have begun their 2024/25 campaign on a very positive note, even despite being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Fleetwood Town, having beaten QPR 3-1 on the opening day.
Corberan’s squad has been heavily affected during the summer transfer window, with several big names leaving to combat the risk of PSR breaches, which has left the manager lacking in some areas.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies have agreed a transfer to Walsall for Reyes Cleary.
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