Elland Road witnessed dramatic scenes on Sunday as Leeds United secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Burnley, but the match was marred by controversy surrounding Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri.
Incident Sparks Outrage
The Tunisian international found himself at the centre of a storm after appearing to direct spit towards the Burnley supporters' section during the heated Championship encounter. The incident occurred in the second half as tensions boiled over between the two promotion-chasing rivals.
Eyewitnesses and social media footage appeared to show the 21-year-old midfielder making the gesture towards travelling fans, sparking immediate outrage among the Clarets faithful.
Match Officials Take Action
Despite the severity of the allegation, match referee Graham Scott took no disciplinary action during the game. However, the Football Association is likely to review the incident and could potentially issue a retrospective ban if the evidence proves conclusive.
"It's completely unacceptable behaviour," said one Burnley supporter who witnessed the incident. "There's no place for that in football, regardless of the rivalry."
Contrasting Performances
The controversy overshadowed what had been an impressive performance from Hannibal, who has become a key figure in Daniel Farke's side since arriving on loan from Manchester United. His energetic display in midfield contrasted sharply with the disciplinary concerns that have occasionally plagued his career.
Leeds United secured all three points through a second-half goal, but post-match discussions focused largely on the spitting allegation rather than the footballing action.
Potential Consequences
If found guilty, Hannibal could face a significant suspension that would deal a blow to Leeds' promotion ambitions. Spitting incidents have previously resulted in six-match bans in English football, though each case is judged on its individual merits.
The club has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but with the Championship promotion race heating up, this controversy threatens to disrupt Leeds' momentum at a critical stage of the season.
