Wilfried Gnonto is facing unfair treatment from referees as he adapts to life in English football with Leeds United. Despite showing glimpses of his potential as the team’s future star, the 20-year-old received a yellow card alongside his impressive assist in Tuesday night’s game.
Referee Stephen Martin, criticized by away fans throughout the match, booked Gnonto for his reaction to a penalty appeal that was dismissed. The Italian forward went down in the box after a challenge from Kenny McLean, but the referee waved play on. Gnonto has struggled with his frustration towards referees who overlook fouls against him in games this season.
Manager Daniel Farke believed Gnonto deserved a penalty and expressed his disappointment in the officials’ handling of the situation. He acknowledged the importance of Gnonto in the team and his contribution to recent games, emphasizing the need for fair treatment as the player adjusts to English football.
Gnonto, along with fellow wingers Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph, were substituted before the end of the game as a precaution to prevent injuries with a tight schedule of fixtures. Farke praised the efforts of his attacking players and acknowledged the physical demands of playing multiple games in a short period.
Overall, Farke recognized the challenges faced by his players in a congested fixture list and emphasized the need to rotate the squad to maintain fitness and performance levels. Despite the frustrations with refereeing decisions, the manager remained positive about the team’s progress and resilience in adapting to the demands of English football.
