Who’d have thought there would be a rivalry between Leeds United and Reading? The two fan bases should be indifferent to each other at best, but over the last week they hate each other like they would local rivals.
It started when Yann Kermorgant was deliberately proactive in his pre-match comments, labeling Leeds a one man team that over relied on their star striker Chris Wood. This sparked a furore online as Leeds fans disagreed with the statement and that set the tone for the match that followed.
It would end up being a fiery affair, though one goal would end up winning it when Kermorgant, who else, hit the back of the net in the first half. Leeds rallied in the second half but despite their best attempts, they were forced to head back to West Yorkshire with nothing.
But the anger between the two sides continued when video of an alleged stamp was shared. In this video, it appears that Leeds’ Liam Cooper stamps on the head of Reece Oxford. It was not spotted at the time and so was not punished with what would have likely been a red card, but Reading fans wanted to see a retroactive ban put in place.
Hope Cooper gets a long, long ban for this. He's meant that. Disgraceful. #readingfc #lufc [🎥: @rfctom] https://t.co/yjX9prD2gu
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) April 1, 2017
And that ban seems to be coming as the FA have charged Cooper with violence conduct after reviewing the available evidence. It is likely the defender will face a three match ban.
Many Leeds fans were obviously unhappy with this and even those that do accept the charge was correct believe it was unfair that Reading’s own Tyler Blackett also got away with a controversial incident where he appeared to hit another player with his forearm.
Seething about the impending Cooper ban. If this warranted FA action then so be it, but what about that thug Blackett and his elbow? #LUFC
— Steve Jennings (@steve_jennings) April 4, 2017
The Cooper fa charge is madness. Other non-leeds players get away with worse all the time. #lufc
— raypettersen (@raypettersen) April 4, 2017
I do feel the charges against Cooper are justified, but how Blackett has got away with that is another story. #lufc
— Soppy13 (@soppy13mot) April 4, 2017
No issue with cooper charge other than panel somehow mind reading intent but blind to a deliberate forearm smash #LUFC treated differently
— Leeds Fan in Chicago (@ChicagoWhite) April 4, 2017
Decision to charge Cooper is entirely appropriate. Decision not to charge Blackett is an absolute travesty though. Every bit as bad. #lufc
— Gavin (@DoctorLeeds) April 4, 2017
😡😡 cooper gets a match ban for obvious accident. @TylerBlackett94 not a chance you can say this was unintentional @ReadingFC #lufc https://t.co/dZIiX7IMkx
— Lauryn Hall💙💛 (@LaurynHall88) April 4, 2017
