Referee Jesus Gil was right to disallow a would-be Tottenham goal during their 2–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, according to former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett backed the Spanish official’s decision to rule out Xavi Simons’ early second-minute effort, insisting the correct call was made.
Tottenham’s Champions League run has offered welcome relief from their domestic struggles this season, and goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke sealed qualification for the last 16. The result also eased some of the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank, who has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks but has now met his first major objective in Europe.
Gil had an inconsistent evening overall, with a number of debatable decisions in minor moments throughout the match. However, Hackett believes the referee handled the game’s biggest flashpoint correctly.
Simons thought he had given Spurs an early lead after poking the ball home, but Gil quickly halted play for a foul in the build-up. Destiny Udogie was penalised for pulling Frankfurt defender Aurele Amenda, a challenge that appeared to stop the defender from intercepting the through ball that released Kolo Muani into the box.
After reviewing footage of the incident, Hackett praised the referee for spotting what he described as a clear, intentional foul.
“The officials have done well to identify and punish a deliberate pull by Udogie in the build-up,” Hackett told Football Insider. “Well done, Jesus Gil.”
Tottenham ‘could still land Andy Robertson’ before deadline
Elsewhere, former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness has suggested Tottenham could still complete a deal for Andy Robertson—if Liverpool manage to line up a replacement before the transfer deadline.
With time running out ahead of Monday night’s cut-off, Robertson has emerged as a key late target for Thomas Frank’s side. The 31-year-old is set to be out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, and Spurs are eager to secure his signature before he can leave on a free transfer.
Tottenham and Liverpool had reportedly agreed in principle to a £5million fee, but the deal stalled after Liverpool failed to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma. Still, Wyness believes the move could yet be revived if Liverpool solve their left-back situation, with the negotiations likely to go down to the wire.
