Many fans believe the 31-year-old was hard done by after referee James Linington pointed to the spot in Saturday’s 1-1 draw
RYAN LEONARD insists he won the ball in the Sunderland penalty incident – but can understand why the referee thought otherwise.
The 31-year-old was judged to have fouled Jack Clarke in the box in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Black Cats.
Clarke dispatched the spot-kick to get the away side back on terms at The Den but replays suggested that Leonard actually won the ball in his sliding tackle.
The former Southend United midfielder is certainly of the opinion that he did.
He told NewsAtDen: “I did get the ball. I didn’t get a massive touch on it but I definitely got the ball. I said it to the referee but I think it was a case of the ball didn’t change direction. Heat of the moment the referee has given a penalty.
“It was frustrating because it was kind of the only time in the game when he managed to get past me. I definitely got the ball. Some games you get them, some games you don’t. It’s just disappointing in that situation.
“It’s one of those where I was frustrated with the decision but it was something where, if it was the other side of the pitch, you’d think ‘is it? isn’t it?’
“The way the game is going now the pace of it is so quick and the referees have it hard enough as it is and to make a decision on a split second is not easy.
“But it is what it is and I’m a big believer in the case over a season it evens itself out.”
Leonard also revealed he would be in favour of VAR if it helped deal with these types of situations, but admits opinions among footballers is probably split over the issue given the added layer of controversy that the technology has brought.
He said: “It would be nice, of course. I think if you went down to League One and League Two I think they’d be saying the same. For me it’s a good addition to the Premier League and world football but obviously I can understand the organisational side to it and getting the officials to do all the games is obviously not easy so I can see why it hasn’t filtered down to lower leagues yet.
“I’m hoping in years to come it will start to filter down. But yeah it would be nice as you won’t get done on little tackles where you think you’ve won the ball.”
“Some players would probably be right into it and some wouldn’t. I think if you were to split it I would think it would be quite even.”
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