Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has sided and shown empathy towards with referee Jeremy Simpson rather than agreeing with his defender Pontus Jansson, who, when asked about the decisions during Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Brentford, accused Simpson of “robbery” in an on-field interview with SkySports after the game.
Jansson was charged by the FA earlier this week and he is likely to escape punishment and just be dealt with fine. Bielsa was very understanding of Simpson’s role as he said (via the YEP): “His task is very difficult and if we understand the role of the referee then we will help him.”
Let’s see what Leeds fans make of the contrasting views of the referee.
Marcelo Bielsa speaks out again in defence of referees – and says he doesn't support Pontus Jansson's criticism of Jeremy Simpson:https://t.co/v3k674JuoG
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 18, 2018
One Leeds fan felt Bielsa was wrong to side with the referee whereas another fan saw the other side of the argument.
Bielsa mit not back jansson but 40.000 Leeds fans will just in leeds as for rest of world .b care full Mr bielsa who u side with
— dean mitchell (@baldydean) October 18, 2018
Numerous other Leeds fans felt he was in the right and that it could work in their favour on the weekend too.
Bielsa is playing a blinder with this
— Jonny Hardie (@jphardie84) October 18, 2018
Bielsa is a class act and hasn’t criticised Pontus but has given some support to referees what odds for a penalty Saturday
— Ian Murray 🤍💙💛🏆🏆🏆 (@imurray1964) October 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/ciaran_donovan/status/1052980639987888133
One fan did feel that despite his love for their manager, he couldn’t help but disagree with the standard of officiating on show.
Love Bielsa but he's wrong he should support Pontus there's no excuse for incompetence don't support or sympathies with the enemy @EFL
— SAMUEL 🇬🇧🇦🇺 💙💛 (@Samuel_JMurray) October 18, 2018
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