---
title: "Leeds: Former referee discusses ‘absolutely remarkable’ Marcelo Bielsa incident"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-former-referee-discusses-absolutely-remarkable-marcelo-bielsa-incident/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2021-03-30T13:20:58Z"
modified: "2021-03-30T13:20:58Z"
---

# Leeds: Former referee discusses ‘absolutely remarkable’ Marcelo Bielsa incident

**Former referee Keith Hackett has described Marcelo Bielsa’s act of sportsmanship against Aston Villa as ‘absolutely remarkable’.**

Bielsa has been an incredible manager for Leeds United, becoming a [true hero](https://motleedsnews.com/comment/this-is-why-leeds-fans-love-bielsa/) to the fans and guiding the Whites back into the Premier League.

He has [great respect](https://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/i-respect-bielsa-leeds-lampard-plays-down-spygate-feud-ahead/29gna5xh9aw21kc94npfsbx6u) from other managers around him and he has been the catalyst for arguably the best period in Leeds’ recent history.

Back in 2018/19, Bielsa’s sporting side came to the fore as Leeds came up against Aston Villa in a crucial Championship clash. The Whites manager [allowed Villa to walk the ball into net](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/28/leeds-aston-villa-championship-match-report) after his team had unfairly scored at the other end, earning him the [FIFA Fair Play award](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/sep/23/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-win-fifa-fair-play-award-aston-villa-equaliser) in 2019.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″\]

### Hackett hails Bielsa’s sportsmanship

One ex-referee who was clearly impressed by Bielsa’s decision was Hackett, who recently told [MOT Leeds News](https://motleedsnews.com/exclusives/absolutely-remarkable-exclusive-hackett-verdict-on-incredible-bielsa-act-that-proved-passion-leeds-united/) all about his respect for the Argentine:

> “I thought it was absolutely remarkable. We had Arsenal v Sheffield United in the FA Cup if you remember, when there was a player injured and play went on. Eventually, they replayed that game thanks to Arsene Wenger.
>
> “I thought it was a magnanimous act that really shows the passion of Bielsa, a passion for fairness. I think they gave Paolo Di Canio an award for what he did and it was good that Leeds were given the same recognition by FIFA.
>
> “It could have developed into a really difficult scenario for the referee. The players were unhappy and I think he probably prevented an escalation of the problem.
>
> “It was an act that was good for the game. I think the referee made a mistake in that game and should have found a reason to stop it. You’ve got to apply common sense.”

### Transfer Tavern take

It was an amazing moment which summed up why Bielsa is loved by so many, with his human side coming through rather than just the [football obsessive](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/jan/04/marcelo-bielsa-leeds-united-fa-cup-arsenal).

Other managers could easily have said “tough luck” to the opposition, but the Leeds boss showed with this gesture that he is a classy individual, as Hackett has suggested, and it earned him immediate respect in the English game.

***In other news, a pundit believes this is a huge few months for one Leeds player – find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/leeds-pundit-highlights-key-period-for-joe-gelhardt/).***