Slavisa Jokanovic says he was disappointed to hear an “ugly” comment from one of the officials after Lucas Piazon broke his leg in the draw at Elland Road.
The 23-year-old striker, who rejoined the club on a season-long loan from Chelsea this summer, was undergoing an operation this morning after being carried off in the first half following a challenge from Conor Shaughnessy.
“It’s a very bad injury and we will lose him for a long time,” said Fulham manager Jokanovic.
“It’s not a question about complaining — it can be bad luck or a tackle outside of the normal — but I’m really disappointed with what I heard from one of the referees, who explained ‘this is English football’.
“I am a 48-year-old man and I’ve never heard an ugly answer like I heard today in this stadium. We are so disappointed for this situation about Lucas Piazon.”
Asked to clarify who had made the comment, Jokanovic — who turns 49 today — replied: “I don’t see so well. I’m a little bit disappointed that I hear around me something so ugly.”
Fulham were missing Tom Cairney, who had netted in each of his past four appearances against the club that let him go as a 16-year-old.
Nonetheless Fulham, who overtook Leeds to claim a play-off spot at the end of last season, were on top for large parts of the first half and Ibrahima Cisse hit the base of the post. However, Leeds striker Chris Wood also had a golden opportunity, being denied by David Button one on one.
Fulham then lost Piazon to injury but had two big chances in the second half, with Sone Aluko being foiled by goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald after being played in by Stefan Johansen, and a last-ditch Shaughnessy tackle preventing Neeskens Kebano from getting a shot in on goal after he also went clean through.
At the other end, Kalvin Phillips scuffed an effort wide and a cross from Stuart Dallas only just evaded Wood in an eventful climax which leaves Fulham with three successive draws in the Championship so far. “We showed different faces,” said Jokanovic.
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“We opened the game very well and created chances but they pressed us better at the start of the second half and the result was fair in the end.
“It’s positive that we haven’t lost any games but it’s a bad thing that we haven’t won any games in the start of the season. We weren’t clinical in the important moments of the game, we tried with power and with aggression to push us into scoring.”
Ryan Sessegnon started the match for Fulham amid interest from Tottenham. It is understood, however, that Spurs have not made an offer for the 17-year-old left-back.
