6 days ago
52
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma faces accusations from Leeds Unied manager Daniel Farke of faking an injury during Saturday's Premier League match
Everything you need to know after Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury
- Leeds United manager Daniel Farke accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking an injury during Saturday's match. Farke believes the goalkeeper went down intentionally to pause the game while Leeds were gaining momentum.
- The incident occurred just before the hour mark when Leeds had cut the deficit to 2-1 and were dominating the game. This stoppage allowed City manager Pep Guardiola to gather his ten outfield players for an impromptu team talk to reorganise.
- Farke described the tactic as "smart" and admitted it is currently within the rules, even though he personally dislikes it. He noted that the reason for the stoppage was obvious to everyone watching the game.
- The Leeds boss suggested that football authorities need to change the rules to prevent teams from exploiting this loophole in the future. He pointed out that outfield players must leave the pitch for treatment, whereas goalkeepers are currently allowed to stay on.
- Farke proposed that referees could penalise such tactics by awarding marginal decisions to the opposing team or managing stoppage time differently. He expressed frustration that his team's momentum was effectively broken by what he viewed as unsporting behaviour.
- Despite his criticism of the incident, Farke insisted he was not attacking Guardiola personally and praised him as the best manager in the world. He acknowledged that he might have used the same tactic himself if the situation allowed for it.
- When asked about the accusation, Pep Guardiola claimed he did not know why Donnarumma had gone down injured. The City manager joked that the Premier League would likely fine the club if they were found to be bending the rules.
- City recovered after the tactical pause and went on to win the game with a late goal from Phil Foden. The controversy highlights an ongoing debate about how teams break up play and the fairness of rules regarding goalkeeper injuries.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Leeds make Gianluigi Donnarumma accusation in Man City defeat - 'Everyone knows'
English (US) ·