Mateusz Klich is back playing regularly for boyhood club Cracovia after returning to Poland in the summer, but the former Leeds United favourite found himself at the centre of controversy on Sunday after being accused of diving.
Klich, now 35, has featured heavily since rejoining Cracovia following his spell in MLS with DC United and Atlanta United, logging close to 1,000 minutes already this season. Cracovia have made a strong start, sitting fifth in the table, with Klich operating in a slightly deeper role than the attacking one he often occupied at Leeds.
Sunday’s match, however, proved frustrating. Lech Poznań went down to 10 men just before the break, and although Cracovia briefly took the lead late on, Lech equalised almost immediately to seal a 2-2 draw.
In their push for a winner, Klich attempted to win a penalty by going down inside the box after Yannick Angero cleanly won the ball. With the referee positioned behind the play, Klich went to ground hoping to force a decision, but the official waved play on.
One supporter posted footage of the incident on X and asked Klich, “Are you proud of yourself?” In trademark fashion, Klich responded bluntly: “If it comes to that, I’ll do what needs to be done.”
Klich’s future once included hopes of returning to Leeds United to reach 200 appearances. He departed the club in January 2023 after falling out of favour under Jesse Marsch, finishing on 195 matches and expressing a desire to come back one day to complete the milestone.
But with Leeds now back in the Premier League and Klich settled in Poland, a reunion appears off the table. All signs point to the veteran midfielder finishing his career where it began — at Cracovia.