Leeds United’s home game with Tottenham Hotspur was full of controversy, with two big VAR moments in the first half alone. The first was a possible handball by Spurs midfielder Mateus Fernandes, which VAR checked and cleared. The second was a challenge by Jayden Bogle on Mathys Tel, and the Leeds defender was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
Bogle caught the French forward late, with his studs landing on the back of Tel’s ankle. VAR reviewed it, but referee John Brooks’ original decision of no red card stood. Tel was forced off injured, which added to the anger among Spurs supporters.
The Premier League later explained that VAR confirmed the on-field call. The official said there was no real speed going into the challenge and Bogle was stepping into the tackle, though he did describe it as reckless. Fans weren’t convinced, and one Spurs supporter reacted angrily on social media, calling the decision disgusting and saying the VAR official should be sacked. Plenty of others online agreed that Bogle got away with one.
Tottenham had been the beneficiaries of some good fortune earlier in the match, though. Just four minutes in, Fernandes appeared to handle the ball in his own box. Leeds appealed for a penalty, but it was waved away, and that proved to be the right call. The ball first looked to hit his outstretched arm, but replays showed it actually struck his shoulder.
The Premier League Match Centre again explained the ruling, saying VAR checked the no-penalty decision and found no handball offence by Fernandes. Tony Harrington, speaking on the VAR side, added that the ball hit the very top of the arm while Fernandes was leaning, which put it in the permitted “green zone.”
