Tottenham Hotspur have written to the referees’ chief Howard Webb to raise concerns about inconsistent officiating, notably during their defeats by Arsenal and Fulham.
Tottenham lost those matches 4-1 and 2-1 respectively, but similar incidents resulted in contrasting decisions that went against them in each game. During the defeat by Arsenal, the forward Randal Kolo Muani had a goal ruled out after the officials judged that he had pushed Gabriel in the back. The goal would have levelled the match at 2-2.
On Sunday, Fulham’s opening goal, scored by Harry Wilson, was allowed to stand despite the Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez appearing to push the Spurs defender Radu Dragusin in the build-up. In both cases, VAR did not intervene, and a statement from the Premier League Match Centre — which gives clarifications from the VAR hub at Stockley Park — said it was “deemed the contact by Jiménez on Dragușin did not meet the threshold for a foul”.
Tudor believed that “99 out of 100 people” would agree that Jiménez had fouled Dragusin
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It is understood that Tottenham are confused by the inconsistency, and highlighted other incidents in their correspondence to Webb, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief refereeing officer, which show different outcomes for the same offence. In December, during their 2-1 defeat by Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike’s goal was allowed to stand, despite the forward putting two hands on the back of Cristian Romero while competing for the ball in the air.
Gabriel made the most of Kolo Muani’s push in the back, and Spurs’ effort was duly ruled out
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Igor Tudor, the Tottenham head coach, vented his fury about the referee Thomas Bramall’s decision at Craven Cottage. “Of course it’s a foul, 99 out of 100 people will say it’s a foul, I believe, because it’s so obvious,” Tudor said. “Sometimes the criteria don’t have consistency. Last week what happened in our game against Arsenal, same thing, also one situation before, we conceded a goal, they didn’t get a foul after they give, so, incredible.”
Webb has aimed to provide more transparency to clubs since his appointment in 2022 and regularly engages with them in private.
Fulham created the better chances at Craven Cottage and could have had a larger advantage before Richarlison pulled a goal back in the second half. Tottenham have now gone ten league games without a win and sit just four points above the relegation zone.
PGMOL and Tottenham have not commented.