Referee hailed for ‘touch of class’ as he stops Leeds vs Hull clash on Sky Sports to applaud in emotional scenes

FOOTBALL fans have hailed referee Josh Smith for temporarily stopping Leeds United vs Hull City on Monday night.

The Championship clash was brought to a halt in the 25th minute as both teams joined fans and coaching staff in a moment of applause.

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Referee Smith appeared to put a pause on the game so that attention could be brought to the applause that was taking place inside Elland Road.

Leeds United supporters were clapping to remember the tragic deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in 2000.

The pair sadly lost their lives in Istanbul while following Leeds after they were stabbed ahead of the Uefa Cup semi-final with Galatasaray on April 5, 2000.

Leeds supporters held up a banner to pay tribute to them both that read: “Chris and Kev – Never forgotten”.

Fans around the stadium turned towards the banner and applauded while the referee ensured that everyone paid their respects by pausing the game.

Supporters watching on from home loved the gesture from Smith to allow an uninterrupted moment of remembering for Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

Many took to social media to praise his decision online, with one writing: “Touch of class. By all involved”.

While a second added: “Absolute class from the ref stopping proceedings.”

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A third lauded Smith for not only stopping the game, but joining in with the applause too.

They wrote: “Well done the referee – stopped play and applauded.”

While a fourth suggested that the official had risked being marked down by his assessors for his decision to stop play, but was impressed by his actions nonetheless.

They added: “Referee Josh Smith stopping play here is an extremely classy move. I’m not sure if he’ll get marked down by his assessors for doing it but he absolutely shouldn’t.”

The match returned to action shortly after with Leeds United leaving it late to score a crucial winner to maintain their place in the Championship title race.

Hull had held their Yorkshire rivals at 1-1 for the majority of the game but saw their hard work undone in the 88th minute.

Another big influence from the referee saw him award a penalty with just a few minutes to go which was converted by Crysensio Summerville to give Leeds the lead.

Dan James then put the cherry on top of the three points with a stunning goal from the halfway line in the 97th minute after Hull keeper Ryan Allsop had come up for a corner and left his goal wide open on the counter attack.

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