Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds United, has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of exploiting a loophole in the rules by feigning injury — a move he says allowed City to regroup and ultimately snatch a late win in their 3-2 Premier League victory.
What happened
- After falling 2-0 behind at the Etihad, Leeds mounted a comeback early in the second half through a goal from Dominic Calvert‑Lewin. Minutes later, Donnarumma went down and called for treatment — prompting a pause that allowed City manager Pep Guardiola to gather his players and deliver fresh tactical instructions.
- Leeds drew level through a rebound goal by Lukas Nmecha after a saved penalty, but late in stoppage time City regained the lead when Phil Foden fired home the winner.
Farke’s reaction and call for change
Farke was blunt in his post-match remarks. He said that while Donnarumma’s collapse was “within the rules,” it was clearly a calculated move.
“Why he went down was obvious. It is smart.” he told reporters.
He added that if the tactic fits within the laws of the game, Leeds could not complain — but questioned whether such behaviour aligns with the spirit of fair play. He called on the authorities to review the rule that allows goalkeepers to receive treatment on the field while outfield players must leave, thereby giving an unintended pause that can be exploited.
Why it matters
- The incident draws attention to what many see as a loophole in football rules: unlike outfield players, a goalkeeper’s injury on the pitch does not automatically trigger a substitution, giving their team a chance to regroup tactically during the stoppage.
- For Leeds, the complaint underlines frustration at conceding defeat in a match where they arguably deserved a draw — especially after fighting back from two goals down.
- More broadly, the episode could reignite debate around the fairness and sportsmanship of such injuries, and whether rules should be amended to prevent time-wasting or tactical manipulation.
