The referee made one decision in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City which sparked debate among supporters and the media.
The Black Cats were fairly disappointing throughout the match and failed to create many chances against Liam Manning’s side.
But they will feel like they would have got more from the game if one of referee Dean Whitesone’s calls went their way.
A Sky Sports commentator and former Sunderland player both gave their verdicts on the situation.
Sky Sports commentator and ex-Sunderland player on referee
Left-back Aji Alese made a dangerous run into the box and was seemingly bundled over by Bristol City winger Yu Hirakawa during the first half.
Whitestone immediately gave a free-kick to the visiting team, much to the Sunderland supporters’ disapproval.
Sky Sports commentator Adrian Clarke believes the referee made the wrong decision and the Black Cats should have been awarded a penalty.
“Hirakawa got himself into a real pickle,” Clarke explained. “I think he was a lucky boy here. He takes his eye off the ball.
“That’s mistake number one. And here, he does lunge in. He doesn’t get the ball. For me, he does impede Alese.”
However, former Sunderland central defender Danny Collins was not so convinced that Alese was fouled.
“It looked like [Hirakawa] gave him a shove… but maybe it’s not enough,” he said on commentary for SAFC Live.
How Sunderland fans reacted to Dean Whitestone’s decision
It’s safe to say that Sunderland fans thought it was a penalty. Some took to social media to share their thoughts.
“That’s literally a pen… that’s given every day in the [Premier League],” one said on X. Another wrote: “Takes some doing to get a decision as wrong as he did.”
Meanwhile, fans in the stands at the Stadium of Light were quick to express their feelings. They booed immediately after the decision was made and once again at half-time.
They also sang the popular ‘you’re not fit to referee’ chant towards Whitestone after he made another call in Bristol City’s favour.