Viewers have been left stunned by action in the Premier League this lunchtime as VAR controversy once again came to the fore in the clash between Leeds United and Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The two out of form sides clashed in south London at lunchtime in a game that had massive implications at the bottom of the table, with Leeds only two points above the drop zone heading into the tie.
For the most part, it was a half lacking in real quality from either side, with neither side stringing together any attacking fluency and Fulham in particular looking careless with the ball.
However, the key talking point came midway through the first half, when Leeds and Premier League fans alike were left baffled when Bernd Leno appeared to pick up an obvious backpass in the Fulham goal.
With Tim Ream passing the ball back to his goalkeeper, Leno was closed down by Leeds attacker Brenden Aaronson, before picking the ball up rather than using his feet.
Must have missed that 😅
Back pass to Leno there…surely 😬 pic.twitter.com/cY6dynRKPw
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 22, 2023
Yet more bizarrely, it was not picked up by VAR, leaving Leeds fans questioning just when their luck was due to change.
Javi Gracia’s side headed into the break level, but have conceded eight in their last two second half’s so will be very wary of what could be a long second half to come.
BT Sport later reported that the decision had been taken because the ball was adjudged to have grazed Rodrigo’s studs, meaning that it was no longer considered a backpass.