Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was left fuming after a dramatic late twist saw his side held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds, a result that could prove costly in their push for European qualification.
With the game deep into stoppage time at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth looked set to seal all three points and climb into sixth place.
However, in a final twist, Leeds substitute Sean Longstaff struck in the seventh minute of added time, volleying home to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
Yet, the real talking point came in the build-up to that goal. Iraola strongly believed the effort should have been ruled out, pointing to an offside position that he insists interfered with play.
Moments earlier, Bournemouth thought they had wrapped up the match when Evanilson found the net to make it 3-1—only for the goal to be chalked off for a marginal offside decision.
As emotions boiled over after the final whistle, Iraola did not hold back in his assessment of the officiating.
“I’m very angry, I’m disappointed, I’m frustrated,” said Iraola.
“It’s a difficult one to swallow because we celebrated the 3-1, it’s offside, we have to accept, the machines says it is one millimetre ahead.”
However, his frustration intensified when addressing Leeds’ equaliser.
“But the 2-2 we cannot accept. The offside position is clear, it affects Petrovic.”
The Bournemouth boss revealed he had spoken directly with the match officials but remained unconvinced by their explanation.
“I have spoken with the referee. They [the officials] try to make it look like it’s a very difficult play. I don’t think it’s as difficult [as they say].”
Breaking down the incident, Iraola argued that Joel Piroe’s positioning clearly impacted goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic’s ability to react.
“It’s in the trajectory of Petrovic, it affects the view, it’s in the side where the ball goes.
“It makes it more difficult for Petrovic to save that ball, definitely. He would have saved it if the player is not there.”
He concluded with a firm stance on the decision, insisting the call should have been straightforward.
“As soon as he [Piroe] affects [Petrovic’s view], it’s clearly offside.
“I don’t think it’s as difficult as they [the officials] say.”
In football terms, it was a cruel late blow for Bournemouth—conceding at the death after thinking they had sealed victory.
As the race for Europe heats up, dropped points like this could prove decisive, leaving Iraola and his side with plenty to reflect on heading into the next fixture.
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