Former Leeds defender Danny Mills has criticised Derby and Tom Lawrence after the Wales international was cleared of diving in Sunday's game against West Brom.

The attacking midfielder went down under what appeared to be minimal contact at best after a challenge from Kyle Bartley with the referee awarding a penalty on the final day of the season.

As the Rams benefited from that, the FA could have punished the player. Dwight Gayle was banned earlier this season for West Brom whilst Leeds' Patrick Bamford was handed a two-game ban for simulation after an incident with Anwar El Ghazi.

And, speaking to Football Insider, Mills hit out at Derby for their hypocrisy over complaining about 'Spygate' earlier this year and also is adamant Lawrence should've been banned.

"It is somewhat odd that Derby went crazy about Spygate when no rules were broken and it was just unsporting. Lawrence dived at the weekend but they are quite happy to take that. These are huge double standards. The pot is calling the kettle black.

"What Patrick Bamford did was embarrassing and absolutely appalling. It was only correct and proper he was banned. Diving is unsporting as well, and Tom Lawrence should be suspended for two games. I don’t see the difference."

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The two sides are set to meet in the play-offs, with the first leg at Pride Park this weekend.

The Verdict

I'm not sure why Mills has mentioned the spying incident in reference to this but he does have a fair point about the dive.

I felt Lawrence threw himself to win that penalty and once it was given the laws state he should've been banned for two games, as Bamford was, which was the right decision.

It's a big blow for Leeds as he has the talent to cause them a lot of trouble in the semi-final now.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.