Daniel Farke brutally hits back at Nuno Espirito after he said ‘the referee was on the side of Leeds United’ and ‘the FA final was stolen from them

Daniel Farke has delivered a sharp and uncompromising response to comments made by Nuno Espírito Santo, after the Portuguese coach accused the referee of “stealing the match” during their dramatic FA Cup quarter-final clash.

Following the game, Nuno voiced his frustration over a tight offside call that ruled out a goal from Taty Castellanos early in extra time. He argued the decision halted West Ham’s momentum after they had battled back from two goals down to level the match at 2-2. Leeds eventually triumphed 4-2 on penalties to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Farke, however, showed little interest in engaging with the criticism. Responding after the match, the Leeds boss dismissed the complaints with a firm stance that has since gone viral.

He stressed that managers should avoid commenting on refereeing decisions involving other teams, adding that constant blame on officials prevents progress. Farke emphasized that such marginal calls are part of the game and insisted the focus should remain on performance rather than controversy.

Clearly unimpressed by the narrative, the German coach described the match as chaotic and full of key moments for both sides. He praised his players for their resilience, particularly for holding their nerve in the penalty shootout after surrendering a two-goal lead. For Farke, the result was about character—not controversy.

His direct and composed remarks quickly spread across social media, drawing praise from many fans who viewed his reaction as professional and dignified, especially compared to what some perceived as frustration from the opposition.

Rather than dwelling on the defensive errors that allowed West Ham back into the game, Farke highlighted the bigger picture—Leeds reaching their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987. He also shifted attention to their upcoming league fixture against Manchester United.

The win keeps Leeds’ FA Cup journey alive, setting up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea at Wembley, while West Ham must now turn their attention back to their Premier League survival fight.

Farke’s calm yet pointed reaction has been widely regarded as a textbook example of handling post-match controversy, further strengthening his reputation for composure under pressure.