Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford recently shed light on a conversation he had with the referee following his controversial goal against Rotherham during a Yorkshire derby. The striking moment occurred during United’s 3-0 victory, where Bamford opened the scoring with a goal that saw the ball deflect off his elbow before finding the back of the net. Despite protests from Rotherham players, the referee ultimately allowed the goal to stand, sparking debates and discussions.
Bamford offered insight into the sequence of events leading up to the goal, sharing that he had not intentionally planned to use his elbow to guide the ball into the net. It was more of a split-second decision as the ball was deflected out of his path, and he nudged it with his elbow in an attempt to redirect it towards goal. The striker mentioned that he thought the subtle contact went unnoticed, resembling a chest touch, and he proceeded to celebrate the goal.
After the match, Bamford recounted interactions he had with a Rotherham player and the referee regarding the goal. Honesty played a crucial role in these conversations, as he admitted that the ball had indeed made contact with his elbow. Despite this revelation, the referee chose to uphold the goal, citing that he could not make a definitive call from his vantage point on the field. Bamford’s straightforwardness regarding the incident was met with appreciation from both the referee and opposing players, highlighting the integrity and sportsmanship displayed by the Leeds striker amidst the controversy surrounding the goal.
