AdminLeicester City were denied the prospect of facing 10 men in their 2-2 draw with Preston North End, with referee Benjamin Speedie’s decision hinging on a crucial advantage.
Tempers flared inside the King Power Stadium when Patson Daka was bundled over by Jordan Storey as he looked set to meet Ricardo Pereira’s through ball and race clear on goal.
With no defender covering, it appeared a textbook denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, prompting furious appeals from both players and supporters.
However, as Daka tumbled, the loose ball broke kindly for Oliver Skipp. Speedie allowed play to continue, and the midfielder surged into the penalty area, only to see his delicate attempt saved by Daniel Iversen. Once the move concluded and the ball ran out for a corner, the official returned to caution Storey, rather than dismiss him.
Law 12 reads: “If the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/sending-off would have been issued had play been stopped, this caution/sending-off must be issued when the ball is next out of play.
“However, if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour.”
Despite the controversy, Gary Rowett offered a measured response.
He said: “The Pato one, where he got brought down, you could argue that is a red card. But Skippy ends up through with a chance.
“At that point, do you bring it back? Probably not. If we score, I’m not complaining, nobody’s complaining.”
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