Why Leeds United didn't get penalty vs Newcastle United as Premier League release VAR quotes
Leeds United saw huge claims for a penalty waved away by referee Michael Salisbury.
Leeds United were denied an early penalty against Newcastle United on Monday for what referee Michael Salisbury deemed an unintentional handball.
The Whites saw huge claims for a spot-kick waved away inside the first two minutes of Monday’s Premier League meeting under the Elland Road lights. A corner was only half-cleared by Newcastle before the ball bounced up and struck the arm of Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
The incident took place just inside the Newcastle box, with Fernandez-Pardo’s arm out and up by his shoulder. Multiple Leeds players claimed handball, as did much of the Elland Road crowd, but Salisbury waved play on - and the thinking behind his decision has been revealed.
A post on X from the Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no penalty for a potential handball offence by Fernandez-Pardo was checked and confirmed by VAR.” The post also confirmed what was said between referee Salisbury and VAR assistant John Brooks.
“REF: “For me, it's bouncing, it's not intentional”. VAR: “Confirming the on-field decision to play on - the ball just bounces up and inadvertently hits the arm of the defender”.
Fortunately for Leeds, the decision mattered little in the end as they were 3-0 up at half-time before eventually winning 4-1. Ao Tanaka’s double-deflected strike opened the scoring on 32 minutes, eventually awarded as a Lewis Miley own-goal, with two more goals before the break.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed James Justin cross off the head of Jayden Bogle before creating and scoring himself in first-half added-time. Noah Okafor half-volleyed home a fourth around the hour mark with the only blow an added-time consolation from Newcastle substitute Bazoumana Toure.
The Premier League match centre also confirmed the decision behind Leeds’ second goal. A post on X said: “The goal accreditation panel has adjudged Leeds’ 34th minute goal as a Bogle goal.”
Victory by three goals pulled Leeds up to third in the Premier League table at this early point of the campaign. Daniel Farke’s side remain unbeaten after four games in the league with eight points to their name.
They’ll look to increase that tally to 11 on Sunday when they host Crystal Palace. The Eagles have lost three of their first four league games of the campaign and host Polish outfit Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday night.