Leeds United fans have been left fuming as Conor Hourihane escaped punishment for an apparent punch on Mateusz Klich during Sunday’s draw with Aston Villa.
The Polish international scored in controversial fashion, sparking a clash between both sets of players as Leeds continued to play on while Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia was down injured.
Klich was approached by Hourihane and Jack Grealish in the immediate aftermath, with the Republic of Ireland international appearing to aim a punch at the stomach of the Leeds midfielder.
What The FA has said about Patrick Bamford and his possible ban
In a statement announcing they have rescinded Anwar El Ghazi’s red card and have charged Patrick Bamford with “successful deception of a match official”, The FA claimed Hourihane’s actions did not constitute violent conduct and would not be punished further.
While Leeds fans were more than willing to accept the charge against Bamford for his work in earning El Ghazi a red card on the day, they were more than a little perplexed by the decision to not punish Hourihane.
With the Championship play-offs set to kick off in less than two weeks, Marcelo Bielsa will have to plan for the first play-off game without Bamford while Dean Smith will be free to include Hourihane in his team.
Supporters took to Twitter to share their frustrations with the decision.
Leeds United podcast - Klich's goal, Bamford's charge and a trip to Ipswich
Woeful again by the @EFL rightly charging bamford but failing to act on hourihane clearly punching klich. Anyone would think they wanted to keep cash cow @lufc in the championship #incompetent
— Maurice Egg (@bignol) April 30, 2019
Bamford deserves the 2 game ban but for hourihane to get away with a violent conduct charge for that jab is ridiculous....and people wonder why Leeds fans think theres a vendetta.thats a Watkins dive,a canoe headbutt and now a hourihane punch that has been blind eyed
— Adam Barlow (@AdamPaulBarlow) April 30, 2019
No action against hourihane for punching klich? Laughable. Bamford fair enough, but people wonder why we fans moan about the badge being punished. JOKE #LUFC
— Luis Cooper (@LuisCooper1) April 30, 2019
So Bamford faces a 2 match ban for simulation
— Nathan (@1NTKNM1) April 30, 2019
But Hourihane faces zero punishment for punching someone in the stomach
Well done @EFL - Well done
#LUFC
Bamford dives - 2 match ban, fair enough. Misses first playoff semi final
— Jim Moran (@jimmoran) April 30, 2019
Hourihane punches Klich - not violent conduct, no ban.
What the actual? #lufc #avfc
Lost for words again with FA. 2 match ban for Bamford fully deserved but again Villa player and Argyle reject Conor Hourihane gets nothing for throwing punch at Klitch. Ref did not see it .Yet they use video evidence to ban Bamford, seen that ok. Amazing.
— Trevor Endean (@EndeanTe) April 30, 2019
Bamford being banned is correct but for Hourihane to get away Scot free after three referees didn’t think it was violent conduct is an absolute joke! Also shows the state of refereeing in this country! The @EFL aren’t fit for purpose! #lufc
— Lord Leddy (@Leddy91) April 30, 2019
so to confirm;
— ♂️ (@ellandread) April 30, 2019
bamford dives and will now miss a playoff game
hourihane punches another player and will miss absolutely nothing
Completely agree with the decision to punish Bamford...embarrassing what he done but please tell me how Hourihane has not been punished....?? Absolute joke!!!!! #LUFC #MOT
— Jack Jeffery (@jackj130889) April 30, 2019
