​Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and ex-manager Tim Sherwood split opinions over a key refereeing decision in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Brentford at Elland Road.

​Brentford opened the scoring through Kevin Schade before Dominic Calvert-Lewin leveled for the home side. The game turned on a dramatic second-half moment when Brentford appealed for a penalty after Schade went down in the box under pressure from Leeds defender Jayden Bogle. Referee Tony Harrington dismissed the claims, and VAR chose not to intervene despite video replays showing foot-to-foot contact.

​Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher backed the match officials, explaining that VAR could not overturn the on-field decision.

​”I think this is another example of the referee giving the decision and VAR not being able to overturn it,” Gallagher said. “One angle looks like he made good contact, and the other angle looks minimal. The referee was very close and relayed his view to VAR, who stuck with him.”

​Gallagher added that Bogle had his foot planted without making an active move, leading Schade to go over it. While acknowledging Bogle did not get the ball, Gallagher noted how different camera angles can alter the perception of the incident.

​Sherwood strongly disagreed with the ex-referee, pointing to the defender’s immediate reaction as proof of a foul.

​”Penalty,” Sherwood asserted. “He made contact. Jayden gives it away immediately by insisting he never touched him. There was enough contact to bring Schade down, so it should have been awarded.”