Leeds United boss Daniel Farke on 'red card for jogging' Man City full-time incident — YEP 2/3/26

By Graham Smyth

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has spoken about his red card against Manchester City for the first time.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says he didn't swear at referee Peter Bankes after the Man City defeat and believes his full-time red card should be quashed.

Farke was visibly frustrated with a number of officiating decisions during the 1-0 loss at the hands of the title chasing visitors, but the lack of time added on for during stoppage time was his biggest issue.

Bankes spoke to Man City players on a couple of occasions to address time wasting and showed a yellow card, but Farke believes there was not enough time added on to the minimum of six that was shown on the fourth official's board.

When the full-time whistle sounded Farke congratulated Pep Guardiola and then ran onto the pitch towards the referee, who produced a red card.

Farke insists he used no foul language and was simply attempting to ask the referee why he gave a yellow for time wasting but didn't add extra time on to the six minutes.

"As a player my problem was I was one of the slowest strikers in Europe, it's the first time I'm accused of running too quick on the pitch, perhaps I should take it as a compliment," quipped the Leeds boss after his first ever red card.

"There are sometimes emotions and disagreements but my principle is to show class and calm emotions down, control emotions.

“Final whistle, I always go to the opponent's manager, I said congratulations to Pep and then go over to the referee to shake hands. I think it's normal everyone shows respect and shakes hands. There is a bit to talk about, sometimes a question.

“I was obviously not happy with the added time and wanted to run over, I wanted to be the first and not anyone else coming to speak about the handball or the Gruev situation, I wanted a quiet moment to ask why he didn't add at least 30 seconds if he gives a yellow for time wasting.

“I jogged over, there was not one bad word, I didn't swear at all, no flying arms, I was just jogging over and wanted to ask 'for what do you give the yellow card if you don't add any seconds.' I don't even finish 'for what,' he already has the red card in his hands."

Farke admitted that there were incidents in the game that Leeds would debate, like a possible stamp on Ilia Gruev by Rayan Cherki and a potential penalty for handball when the ball struck Matheus Nunes on the arm, but it was the time added on that really angered the Leeds manager.

"What should not happen is what happened in added time," he said.

"Six minutes shown by Oliver Langford and this means you play at least six minutes. During this added time there was three times an occasion when the referee had to encourage Man City to be quicker. Then there comes an incident where he gives a yellow card for time wasting.

“I went to Oliver, by the way top guy, listen, don't let him show a yellow it's our time, we want to equalise. He says he will add this time, don't worry.

“The yellow card alone lasts 20 or 30 seconds. It's a power play in the last minutes, we put long ball after another in, all our tall guys up front. Man City, with all respect, were hanging on the ropes.

“I can't say if we would have equalised but you never know. If you give a yellow card 90 seconds earlier, you speak to them several times, the fourth official says they will add it but after six minutes and nine seconds he blows the whistle and ends the game, for me it's a clear mistake."

Receiving the red card before he believed he had made a point to Bankes was another mistake he hopes will be rectified by the game's authorities.

"I can't say I was unbelievably happy he didn't add any seconds but just wanted to ask this question," said Farke.

"To embarrass me, to say to the world this guy is not worth talking to or looking at, then I was angry. But even then I didn't use one bad word, I didn't accuse him. You can see on the footage, I think his assistant would have defended his mate. They were there with sympathy and also shocked a red was shown. This is not how we should work with each other.

“I have so much respect for referees or I would never last in this business 20 years nearly without a red card. I learn my lesson, I will never ever jog again on the pitch, although I don't think you can be red carded for jogging. For me it's never a red card but it's not up to me. Peter is a top referee. I think it's normal sometimes you misjudge a situation."

Leeds are still awaiting word from the FA on any potential charge and suspension before deciding whether or not to appeal the sending off.