Brazilian midfielder Raphinha took a swipe at the Premier League after he suffered an injury during Leeds’ draw with Wolves. The former Manchester United player wrote on Instagram: “Pity my luck again I am waiting for two more weeks to get out and play some football.”
Leeds United’s Raphinha has taken a swipe at Premier League refereeing after suffering an injury in the club’s draw with Wolves.
Raphina was forced off during Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Wolves. (Photo courtesy of Getty)
After being taken off the pitch with a nasty-looking injury in Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Wolves, Raphinha has lambasted Premier League officiating and referee Robert Jones.
With three goals this season, the 24-year-old attacker was caught by a sliding tackle from Romain Saiss, and Crysencio Summerville was sent in to replace him in the 54th minute.
As Rodrigo cancelled out Hwang Hee-opening chan’s deep into stoppage time, Marcelo Bielsa must have breathed a sigh of relief, but the sight of Raphinha being assisted down the tunnel put a damper on the late drama at Elland Road.
At his post-match news conference, Bielsa said, “He has a knock, but I don’t know the degree of it.”
After a good second-half effort, the Leeds manager was upset his team was unable to capture all three points.
‘I suppose our persistence wore off as the game progressed,’ he remarked.
‘As the second half progressed, [Stuart] Dallas and [Daniel] James and [Jamie] Shackleton, Summerville, [Joe] Gelhardt, and Rodrigo began to exert pressure. We were able to make the opponent nervous.
‘As a consequence, I felt the score was inadequate since I believed we might have scored more than one goal.’
Raphinha slammed Premier League refereeing on Instagram.
Raphina’s injury’s severity is yet unknown. However, it’s evident that the Brazilian is enraged because Saiss was only given a yellow card for a challenge he made just after halftime.
Raphinha sarcastically fumed in Portuguese on his Instagram page with a video of the incident, ‘The greatest referees are in the Premier League.’
Raphinha needed assistance leaving Elland Road (Picture: Getty)
Raphinha has established himself as one of Leeds’ important players since joining the club from Rennes in October last year, starting all eight of the team’s Premier League games this season.
The versatile Brazil international had an excellent first season in the Premier League last year, scoring six goals and assisting nine times, and was the focus of feverish transfer rumors in the summer.
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Rivaldo told Betfair earlier this week that Raphinha should seriously consider moving to Liverpool if the chance arises.
‘Raphinha did well on his Brazil debut, but he was already thriving in the Premier League with Leeds United, and there are reports of Liverpool interest,’ the legendary ex-Barcelona and Brazil player remarked.
‘He may not be a regular starter if he makes the transfer, but I’m sure it would be a significant step forward in his career since it would enable him to fight for championships and play in the Champions League, which might lead to further call-ups to the Brazilian national team.’
‘He has the ability to play for a more prestigious club.’ He is playing terrific football and, as a player, he is constantly looking for new and more difficult challenges, so a move would be beneficial to him.’
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