Surjit Patowary

Gabi Gudmundsson Goes to Leeds Away End and Shakes Every Hand After Red Card

Gabi Gudmundsson, Leeds United, Matchgoing Fans

Gabi Gudmundsson Seeks Out Leeds Fans After Controversial Red Card in Palace Draw

Leeds United’s fight against Premier League relegation took another dramatic turn on Sunday at Selhurst Park, where a goalless draw with Crystal Palace was overshadowed by a deeply contentious sending-off and one of the more touching gestures of the season.

Leeds sit on 32 points after 30 games, three points above West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham in the relegation battle, with every result carrying enormous weight as the season enters its final stretch.

At the heart of their survival push has been Swedish wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.

A Ligue 1 and Champions League regular during his time with Lille, Gudmundsson has started 27 Premier League games since arriving last summer, registering one goal and one assist in the FA Cup. 

Sunday’s game was settled by a chaotic five-minute spell before half-time.

Will Hughes was punished for a handball at a corner, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired the resulting penalty well wide. 

Moments later, Gudmundsson was penalised for a challenge on Ismaila Sarr close to the centre circle.

Referee Thomas Bramall showed a yellow card, seemingly unaware he had already booked the player.

Sarr pointed out the mistake, and after an apparent check with his officiating team, Bramall produced the red.

The decision was as divisive as it was bewildering.

At full-time, Gudmundsson walked over to the Leeds away end and raised his hands in apology to the travelling supporters. 

Many fans on social media were quick to note there was little to apologise for, given the referee’s error.

Gudmundsson will serve a one-match suspension and miss Leeds’ home clash with Brentford next Saturday, before returning for the FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham on April 5.

Daniel Farke (Sky Sports) on the red card: “It was doubtful if it was a foul. It was not even close to a yellow card. The decision, there was no pace in the tackle, in the duel. It was not a tactical foul. It was not even close to a yellow card. But why has he decided to give a yellow card? Most disappointing is more or less that he has forgotten that this player was already on a yellow card and was then himself surprised that this decision means a sending-off.”

Daniel Farke (BBC Match of the Day) on the red card: “Everyone in the stadium can see [it was the wrong decision]. It was doubtful if it was even a foul. For me, it was a clear mistake.”

Daniel Farke (BBC Match of the Day) on his players: “I would trust my lads with my life. We are not perfect, but the mentality in the dressing room is second to none. In the circumstances, in a difficult away game, we defended the whole time and we didn’t give any chances away. Fantastic spirit, defending, clean sheet, and a point away. I am just proud of how we defended. Even in the second half, there were even moments where we thought we could win the game.”

Daniel Farke on the impact of the red card: “Gudmundsson for a second foul in the game for such a situation, he gets sent off and the game is influenced. We always speak about details make a difference and if we have one player less it’s 10% more or less. It was a huge disadvantage in the second half and has influenced the game a lot.”

Daniel Farke on Gudmundsson’s role: “He’s our only left-footed wing-back, that makes it a bit tricky, especially when you expect to be dominant and have several crosses from that position.”

How fans reacted to Gabriel Gudmundsson shaking hands with Leeds away end after red card against Crystal Palace –

@theadelites When you think about #LUFC’s recent past: Players refusing to play, demanding to be transferred, having to train on their own, being told by their club captain: “if you don’t want to be here, f*** off”. Contrast all of that to: Gabriel Gudmundsson – who no one thought should’ve been sent off (including the referee) – going over to the Leeds fans and shaking their hands and personally apologising for seeing red. Had his name sung at the weekend and again today. An outstanding player and even better guy – someone who epitomises the spirit of this group. And the difference in culture between certain players of the recent past; and the way this team conducts themselves, has never been more stark.

@robinjescott This is what baffles me when people take pot shots at the management. Don’t they see the culture building? This is a proper team.

@RobertG90623497 It’s the leaders in the dressing room as well on the pitch, they each have each other’s backs. Gabi apologizing no need, this has to do with Bielsa before Farke he made sure we didn’t surround the ref or do any play acting. We are seeing honest players

@Jaylee_013 I think our recruitment’s been fairly respectable. Not all of our signings have been world beaters, but Gabi, Bijol, Stach etc have all shown they’re willing to put the graft in and it’s making a real difference

@LamNam Let’s be fair an enforced 1 game rest might not be the worst thing for him.

@ConorWilson2 The relegation squad would have been done four or five in the same situation. Frustrating day and easy to look at missed opportunities that could have us sitting higher but the character shown today gives plenty of confidence.

@FPL_Major We can all question Farke about decisions at times but can’t doubt how well he gets a group together. Also saw it with players being brought back into the fold like Harrison, Wober etc. as well. Fans might not have liked them but players seemed to welcome those players back

@david_blyth Must be that part of the world, Pontus springs to mind

@jnigelscott When he scored an own goal against Fulham he was crest fallen. The lad cares.

@TomRalph1 Our first consistently quality LB for many, many years.

@jwh1982 He’s class. Best left back we’ve had in years. Not his best game on sunday but he’s got alot in the bank with the fans cos he’s so consistent. Be nice for ref to come out and admit he made a genuine mistake

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