Video: Controversy on the Pitch: Premier League Referee Under Fire for Allegedly Missing Clear Fulham Back Pass Against Leeds, Fans Say

Although an explanation has been given, fans are convinced that the referee missed a blatant back pass during the game between Fulham and Leeds.

During the lunchtime kick-off at Craven Cottage, the two teams faced each other, but the first half was largely uneventful except for a major controversy arising from the referee's alleged failure to spot a clear back pass.

According to reports, Fulham captain Tim Ream had possession of the ball at the back and passed it to goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who took a touch and then picked it up in response to pressure from Brenden Aaronson.

It is worth noting that the rules, which were established after Denmark's infamous incident in 1992, explicitly state that goalkeepers are not allowed to pick up the ball from a deliberate kick. Thus, in theory, Leeds should have been awarded an indirect free-kick from a dangerous position within the penalty area.

No Leeds player appealed and there was mass confusion.

Watch video below...

Must have missed that 😅

Back pass to Leno there...surely 😬 pic.twitter.com/cY6dynRKPw

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 22, 2023

 Social media exploded with surprised responses, while the players and officials remained unaware.

One user wrote: "Was that not just a clear back pass to the GK there in the Fulham game???"

A second had the same view: "Thought I was imagining it when Fulham keeper just picked up a back pass and not a fan not a player nor official said anything. Then 3 mins later BT Sport realised it."

Another added: "Fulham keeper handled a back pass from his defender and everyone in the stadium missed it…Lool."

A fourth commented: "Fulham just did a blatant back pass and no one even noticed."

Players can only return the ball to their goalkeeper to pick up if the contact is from their head, chest or knee. It can only be played off their foot in the event that the referee deems it to be unintentional.

However, in their half-time analysis, BT were able to share footage which explained why Ream was let off the hook.

Referee Peter Bankes was seen with his hand in the air, signalling that the ball had taken the slightest nick off Rodrigo.