Lee Hendrie insists Dan James was denied a clear penalty during Leeds United’s narrow 1-0 victory over Stoke City on Tuesday.
During a discussion on Sky Sports News, Hendrie passionately argued that Stoke goalkeeper Daniel Iversen should have been penalized for bringing down James inside the box. He described it as a “stonewall penalty,” emphasizing James’ slight touch on the ball before being taken out by Iversen.
According to Hendrie, the referee, Oliver Langford, was well-positioned to witness the incident but failed to award the penalty despite clear evidence from replays. He expressed frustration at the declining standards of officiating in the Championship, emphasizing the potential impact of such decisions on match outcomes.
Despite the controversy, James showcased resilience by regaining composure and scoring the decisive goal for Leeds just beyond the half-hour mark.
The incident serves as another example of the contentious officiating plaguing Championship matches, raising concerns about the consistency and reliability of referees in crucial moments.
