When push comes to shove: Why relegation-threatened Tottenham have complained to referees’ body about inconsistent decisions
Tottenham have contacted the head of refereeing governing body the PGMOL Howard Webb over perceived inconsistencies in officiating in the Premier League that the north London club feel have hampered them as they prepare for a relegation battle.
As per BBC Sport, the club are believed to have reached out with a message that speaks to their belief that Spurs are being judged differently over similar offences in the six-yard box.
In the north London derby last month, Randal Kolo Muani’s goal which would have brought up 2-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was ruled out when VAR review found that the striker had pushed Gabriel Magalhaes in the back.
But on Sunday, as Spurs lost 2-1 to Fulham, Harry Wilson’s opener was allowed to stand despite jostling in the box which saw Raul Jimenez fell Radu Dragusin with a similar two-handed push.
The contact between the two players was deemed not to have met the necessary threshold for a foul, which would have ruled the goal out, with a comparison between the incident believed to have been cited by Spurs.
Spurs are said to have included referee Peter Bankes’ commentary broadcast in Match Officials Mic’d Up on the incident between Kolo Muani and Gabriel, where the official explained: ‘once you see two hands in live play, it looks like a push, a clear push. I was more than happy that the two hands on the back had enough impact and was an offence’.
Fulham were allowed to draw first blood when Harry Wilson’s opener against Spurs stood despite controversy in the build-up (Raul Jimenez and Radu Dragusin pictured)
Spurs had previously been on the receiving end of a harsh decision for what they believe was a similar move
The club are also thought to have included the example of Nick Woltemade’s goal against Arsenal last year, which saw the German forward tussle with Gabriel in the build-up, and allowed to stand.
Spurs’ interim head coach Igor Tudor was incensed by the officiating of the challenge on Sunday, labelling Jimenez a ‘cheat’ as he stressed that ‘of course’ the wrong decision had been made after the final whistle.
‘Sometimes they don’t understand even small contact is enough if it gives you advantage to score the goal,’ Tudor continued.
‘It’s not a normal duel when he’s soft. He pushes with the hands and doesn’t watch the ball. Sometimes it’s just easy to get advantage. So, this is ridiculous to not give the foul, because the consequence is too big. It’s not a small foul in the middle of the pitch, it is a goal after.
‘Let’s play strong in the duels, fantastic, I like it, but he takes an advantage, he is not thinking about football, not thinking about the ball, he was thinking how to cheat.
‘So, he cheated by pushing and they scored the goal. So, it’s logic, he is cheating and there’s the foul.’
Marginal officiating controversies could in turn have seismic consequences for Spurs, as last year’s Europa League winners prepare to fight to stay in the Premier League next season.
Spurs sit in 16th place, but just four points above West Ham in 18th.
Appointed following the sacking of Thomas Frank, Tudor has recorded back-to-back defeats since starting his time in north London, but will look to pick up important points against Crystal Palace at home on Thursday.
