‘If you give them’ – Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher’s honest verdict on Leeds United penalty claim vs Sunderland

Leeds United were left frustrated after strong appeals for a first-half penalty were ignored during Tuesday’s home defeat to Sunderland A.F.C.. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes the Whites should have been awarded a spot-kick in the opening period.

The incident occurred when Sunderland defender Luke O’Nien appeared to pull Pascal Struijk down by the neck inside the box, but referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue. Leeds boss Daniel Farke later described it as “crazy” that VAR assistant Paul Tierney chose not to advise an on-field review.

Leeds eventually lost the match 1–0 after Habib Diarra converted a penalty. Ironically, that spot-kick was awarded following a VAR review for a handball by Ethan Ampadu, adding to the sense of injustice felt by the home side over the earlier incident involving Struijk.

Speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports, Gallagher sided with Farke over the first-half challenge.

“I agree with Farke — if the referee watches it again, he gives the penalty,” Gallagher said. “You can’t grab a player like that. You have to go for the ball and keep your focus on the ball.”
He added that O’Nien appeared to hold Struijk for too long, suggesting his main intention was to prevent the defender from reaching the ball. Gallagher also acknowledged that several players were grappling in the area, which may have complicated the referee’s decision.

However, he argued that consistently awarding penalties for such incidents would discourage defenders from using similar tactics in the future.

Despite their frustration, Leeds dominated possession and territory but struggled to break down a determined Sunderland side. Their task became even more difficult in the second half when Diarra’s penalty slipped past goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Gallagher’s view on the Ampadu handball
Referee Attwell initially dismissed Sunderland’s appeals for a penalty in the second-half handball incident.

However, once the ball went out of play, Sunderland players surrounded the official before VAR official Tierney advised a pitchside review. After rewatching the footage, Attwell awarded the penalty — just minutes after correctly disallowing a header from Joe Rodon for offside.

Gallagher praised Tierney for spotting the key detail.

“It’s an excellent intervention by VAR because the ball first hits Ampadu’s thigh, which wouldn’t be handball,” he explained. “But afterwards he clearly handles the ball and knocks it away.”

Former striker Jay Bothroyd agreed that the decision was technically correct, even though Ampadu’s reaction appeared instinctive rather than deliberate.

Leeds also felt hard done by after another controversial handball decision in their previous 1–0 loss to Manchester City F.C.. During that match, a cross struck the raised arm of Matheus Nunes, but VAR deemed the position of his arm natural and no penalty was given.

That call was one of several decisions by referee Peter Bankes that angered Farke. The Leeds manager was shown a red card after the final whistle for entering the pitch and confronting officials. He is expected to accept the charge from The Football Association, resulting in a one-match suspension that will rule him out of the upcoming FA Cup clash with Norwich City F.C. on Sunday.