Furious Daniel Farke reopens Leeds United v Leicester City debate

Leicester City and Ipswich can watch the Championship play-offs in peace, knowing their promotion places are already sealed. But if VAR had been used this season, one of them would still be fighting for a Premier League place.

That’s according to Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, who believes his side would have finished in the top two had VAR been in play. He says he has received 12 letters of apology this season for decisions on offside goals and penalties that should have gone Leeds’ way.

Instead, Leeds are competing in the play-offs and Farke was further irked by another call that went against his side in their goalless semi-final first leg at Norwich on Sunday. Junior Firpo scored after half an hour but Georginio Rutter was ruled offside in the build-up.

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“I expect to be consistent with my decisions when there’s so much at stake,” Farke said. “If you want to be in charge of such a (big) game, you have to do the same if you’re an official.

“I have 12 letters of apology at home already during the season, with offside goals and missed penalties. If we had used VAR this season we would not have been in the play-offs, we would have been promoted automatically.

“I’m quite annoyed, it certainly wasn’t offside. I feel we should go with the rule that when in doubt, give the benefit of the doubt. Everyone talks about how much these games are worth, so the decisions have to be right. Maybe the whole stadium would groan if they gave it to the visitors, but I have to make sure I don’t get too angry.

“Overall, I’m happy with a draw and a clean sheet. Obviously, the last few regular season games weren’t great because we conceded too many goals, but today we were solid.”

Enzo Maresca may feel he has similar complaints that can be made. The Italian expressed his frustration at some controversial moments during the season, notably the call not to award City a penalty for Cameron Burgess’s tackle on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 1-1 draw at Ipswich on Boxing Day and the decision not to award . Coventry’s Kasey Palmer picked up a second yellow card during the 3-1 defeat in the M69 Derby, an incident which came with City 1-0 up.

City were also miserable in the defeat at Leeds. Leading 1-0, Patson Daka then turned the ball into the net after a scramble from a corner before being flagged for offside. Replays showed it was an incorrect decision. Leeds won 3-1.

Both play-off semi-finals ended goalless. Leeds play Norwich at Elland Road on Thursday for a place at Wembley and then it’s Southampton against West Brom at St Mary’s on Friday night. The final is Sunday, May 26.

Who would you like to see win the Championship play-off? Let us know in the comments section below.