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Laurie Martin

Former Leeds United defender and ex-Premier League referee clash over penalty controversy

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and ex-Leeds United full-back Stephen Warnock have clashed over the decision to not award Leeds a penalty in the first-half against Wolves on Saturday.

The Whites ended up winning the game 2-1, but there was a hugely controversial moment when Leeds were a goal down. As a high ball went into the Wolves box, goalkeeper Jose Sa appeared to clatter into Rasmus Kristensen, leaving him on the floor needing treatment. However, neither referee Robert Jones or VAR gave a penalty.

Speaking on 'Ref Watch' on Sky Sports News, Gallagher said those types of challenges from goalkeepers are 'never given' as penalties.

READ MORE: Angus Kinnear details why Leeds United can take positives from missing out on Charles De Ketelaere

"This is a typical goalkeeper challenge that never gets penalised," Gallagher said.

"People say to me 'why isn't it a penalty?', well, it's never been a penalty. They're never given. If a referee next week gives a penalty for that then they'll be uproar, because they'll be saying that we've seen this for season after season and we haven't seen a penalty. That's a typical goalkeeper's challenge that very, very rarely gets punished in England or in Europe."

Warnock, who made 67 appearances during his time at Leeds, was shocked as to how Sa's challenge wasn't penalised.

"It's a stonewall penalty, and how they never, never get given is beyond me," he said.

"If I ran at someone, trying to head the ball, but I ran into them, then it would be a penalty. Why is it no different for goalkeepers? Wow. I would have got booked in that game because I would have been going ballistic at the ref for not giving that. I would be running after him. It's a stonewall penalty, it's so clear."

Gallagher said: "I can't remember a foul being given like that, which is why I think that if they suddenly start giving penalties like that, they've got to come out and say that it's going to be done.

"If you're going to change it, you have to announce it. You can't suddenly give one next Saturday. It shouldn't even have to be announced," replied Warnock. "It should just be given as a penalty.

"If I was a Wolves defender there, I'd have my head in my hands thinking 'what are you doing?'"

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