Leeds boss Marsch feels 'disrespected' by referees after rocky loss at Brentford

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch believes his respect for Premier League referees is unrequited after his red card against Brentford.

Marsch's side were beaten 5-2 by the Bees at Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday, with Ivan Toney scoring a hat-trick.

After some unfavorable decisions for his team, the American head coach was sent off in the 64th minute.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Marsch went on a little rant, insisting the referees are not working as promised before the start of the season.

"I said last week that I love our team and that's not changing," Marsch said. "We have an incredible mentality and now it's about getting a little smarter and figuring out how to limit what the opponent wants to achieve in the day and make sure the game tilts more in our direction.

"We have a good group - we know that. We have work to do and we will keep pushing forward."

Upon being sent off, Marsch explained: "I was really calm when they gave a penalty for a game that I didn't think was a penalty.

"It's called 'clear and obvious' - and, to me, it wasn't clear and obvious. The decision on the court was 'no penalty'. For our [penalty request ], it was clear and obvious.

"If you give a soft VAR penalty decision, it's just an easy thing to do to say it's fair and within the laws of the game to give another one, when that's also a clearer penalty. But we didn't understand that, and that's what frustration is.

"When you don't get the behavior you think you should, you have to decide what to do. I can have more discipline and our team can also have more discipline in those times, but I also have to think how to discuss these things.

"I don't know if it's with the league or other referees, because the things I was told in the managers' meetings before the start of the season are not happening.

"That's really the source of the frustration. I was calm the whole time before there was a blatant act for me.

"I never want to get kicked out and I don't want to disrespect the referees but, when I feel like there's disrespect the other way, I don't know what to do. I don't don't know what to do now."

On the game, the Leeds head coach added: "We are disappointed and frustrated that we gave too many easy chances and goals and made too many mistakes. But we also showed our character at some times and we also got back in the game.

"We have to learn from those situations, especially when you're playing away from home. Before the game, we talked about how Brentford were a smart team who know how to play to their strengths. We knew we had to limit their chances of free kicks and their chances of playing against.

"We didn't do enough today and it cost us dearly."