AdminLeicester City were left frustrated by a contentious decision during their 2-2 draw with Preston North End, as a potential red-card incident instead resulted in only a booking at the King Power Stadium.
The flashpoint came when Patson Daka was brought down by Jordan Storey as he attempted to latch onto Ricardo Pereira’s through ball. With no covering defenders in sight, the challenge appeared to deny a clear goal-scoring opportunity, prompting furious appeals from both players and supporters.
Referee Benjamin Speedie, however, opted to play advantage as the loose ball fell kindly to Oliver Skipp. The midfielder drove into the penalty area but was unable to make it count, his delicate attempt saved by Daniel Iversen.
When play eventually stopped for a corner, Speedie returned to caution Storey rather than dismiss him, a decision that initially baffled many inside the ground. Yet, by the letter of the law, the referee’s call was correct.
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.”
Leicester manager Gary Rowett took a measured view of the incident.
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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