ErrorKMI panel ruling · 4-1 votePenaltySignificantHeated

No penalty for O'Nien's arm around Struijk's neck

Tuesday, 3 March 2026 · 2025-26 · 16'

What happened

Luke O'Nien held back Pascal Struijk in the 16th minute, placing an arm around the Leeds player's neck. Another missed holding penalty.

On the pitch: See summary
VAR: VAR did not intervene
Benefited: SUN Sunderland
Harmed: LEE Leeds United

Fan verdict

Was the final decision right?

One tap, then pick your club. We show how Leeds United fans, Sunderland fans and everyone else answered.

Sources

Officials & their calls

RefereeStuart AttwellErrorcareer on file: 11 err · 59%VARPaul TierneyErrorcareer on file: 8 err · 53%Assistant VARIan HussinErrorcareer on file: 1 err · 83%

What the fans thought

Meltdown90

15 of 81 comments in the r/soccer post-match thread were angry about the officiating, mostly from Leeds United fans. Main gripes: penalty and handball.

“Genuinely a horrific football match. Neither team deserved a point. Clear penalty against us, but how VAR hasn’t even looked at O’Nien tackling Struijk in the first half is genuinely malpractice. Ref was s*** all game fo…” · 36 upvotes · LEE fan

“Worst ref performance you've seen since... two days ago.” · 34 upvotes · LEE fan

Whole-match mood, not this incident alone.

Something wrong or missing?

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What happened

Sources

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