Former Leeds man Noel Whelan described Stuart Atwell’s refereeing performance at the weekend as ‘abysmal’, speaking to Football Insider.
Jesse Marsch was quick to complain about Aston Villa’s ‘time-wasting’ tactics during the side’s 0-0 draw on Sunday, with his thoughts being echoed across much of the footballing world, including by Whelan, who is now a co-commentator for BBC Radio Leeds.
“The referee had an abysmal game.
“The game was really competitive and it had a physical nature, but I don’t think any of the challenges warranted a yellow card.”
Whelan went on to suggest that the history between the two sides should have played a part in some of the decisions, before noting:
“The game was stop-start. He was whistle-happy, card-happy, and he didn’t let the game flow, which made for a very bad game.
“He ruined the game, quite frankly.”
Luis Sinisterra is shown a red card by Stuart Atwell / Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch on Villa’s tactics said, quoted by Leeds Live:
“I will be speaking to somebody from the league or I’ve already spoken with the referee committee that this is clearly a tactic. I was told, managers were told, and by the way, they took up another hour and a half of our time this past week to remind us that they’re going to do better with controlling… the run of play in matches. I didn’t create that dialogue, that’s not my agenda, that’s the league’s agenda.
“I feel bad for our fans when they have to come to this match and they have to watch that, they want to see an energetic game that has a lot to see. So, I will be discussing that with somebody and we will as a club.”