Ryan Mason slams Leeds United decision to allow Aston Villa an equaliser

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United were involved in yet another massive controversy yesterday during their game with Aston Villa. After Jonathan Kodjia went down injured the Villa players expected Leeds to put the ball out of play for treatment. However, Tyler Roberts played in Mateusz Kich and, unapologetically, the Polish international swept home for 1-0.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa then ordered his team to allow Aston Villa an equaliser. Albert Adomah jogged through to tap home for 1-1.

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Ryan Mason was not pleased with that decision. He explained his views on talkSPORT. 

“I think Leeds telling their players to give them a goal? I don’t agree with it one bit.

“I think Bielsa has done it because of the Spygate. I think it was a great opportunity for him to say ‘look, Leeds, we’re a good club’ because that game had no influence on them gaining automatic promotion

“If this was the semi-final of the play-offs I’d be very surprised if they did the same thing if that happened again.”

TBR’s View

There has certainly been some cynicism aimed at Bielsa since the incident. Many have mentioned the ‘Spygate’ episode from January and suggested this was Bielsa attempting karmic balance.

Mason does raise a good point though. Leeds were never obliged to put the ball out of play and in the modern world of constant simulation (including you Patrick Bamford) players are advised to always allow the referee to decide when play is halted.

Indeed the decision from Bielsa clearly did not go down well with Pontus Jansson, who half-heartedly attempted to stop Adomah.

In the end, this game was essentially a dead rubber with Sheffield United’s goal difference virtually insurmountable.

But it certainly adds some heat to a potential dream play-off final before these two giants of the English game.