Daniel Farke's Leeds United touchline ban appeal latest as Whites boss' Bramall Lane vantage point confirmed — YEP 19/2/25
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke will be forced to watch
his team from the stands at Bramall Lane next Monday as hopes of a successful
appeal are dashed by the rulebook.
The Whites manager picked up his third booking of the season
at home to Sunderland earlier this week, which means the German incurs a
one-match touchline ban, as per Football Association rules.
Farke entered the field of play during the 95th minute in
celebration at Pascal Struijk's stoppage time winner, along with several of
Leeds' substitutes.
The infraction was brought to match official Stuart
Attwell's attention and the referee showed Farke a yellow card in the
aftermath, which causes him to sit out Leeds' game against Sheffield United
next week.
While Farke is permitted to be inside Bramall Lane for the
fixture, he will not be allowed to take his usual seat in the dugout before,
during or after the match. Equally, Farke will not be able to give his
customary on-field salute to the travelling supporters at full-time as
touchline bans prohibit individuals from entering the field of play at any
point.
Farke will also be prevented from coaching his team or
issuing instructions during the match, but is allowed to attend the Leeds
dressing room pre-match, at half-time and post-match. He will also be able to
engage with match officials pre and post-match, but not during, inside their
specified dressing room, provided they are 'agreeable to the approach'. Farke
will, however, be prohibited from approaching the referee, assistant referees
and fourth official in the tunnel.
Some Leeds supporters have queried whether due to the
softness of Farke's yellow, it could perhaps be appealed, but that is not the
case because rules state a caution is merely a 'minor disciplinary action'.
Appeals may only be brought for disputed major disciplinary action. The
Football Association's rationale, in line with PGMOL (Professional Game Match
Officials Limited), is if yellow cards were regularly appealed, there would be
as much refereeing off the pitch as there is on it and more importantly, could
undermine the integrity and agency of on-field match officials.
It is for this reason Farke will be confined to the stands
at Bramall Lane, likely alongside chief executive Angus Kinnear, recruitment
lead Adam Underwood and other United dignitaries.