'You might be in prison if you were a Leeds United player!' - Pontus Jansson jokes as QPR defender hits out at referee

Leistner used his Twitter account to criticise Bankes following the official’s decision to award Leeds a second-half penalty in their 2-1 win over QPR at Elland Road on Saturday.

The spot-kick - United’s first in 59 games - was awarded after Leistner appeared to use a hand to stop Kemar Roofe latching onto a high ball inside QPR’s box.

The German protested his innocence and was booked for dissent by Bankes. Roofe converted the 53rd-minute penalty to earn Leeds a fourth successive victory.

QPR manager Steve McClaren described the decision as “very, very poor” afterwards and Leistner went further on Twitter on Sunday evening, saying: “Hard to play against a tough team and the *** referee.”

United centre-back Jansson was hit with a one-match ban and a £1,000 fine by the FA last month after swearing in a post-match interview and accusing referee Jeremy Simpson of “robbery” after a 1-1 draw between Leeds and Brentford on October 6.

Leeds and Jansson were frustrated by what they saw as excessive punishment and the Sweden international responded to Leistner’s tweet by saying: “You might be in prison if you use those words as a Leeds player.

“All the best big man, stay strong!”