Tottenham were left frustrated after a controversial moment in their Champions League clash, as Xavi Simons was deemed not to have been fouled by Julián Álvarez in the build-up to Atletico Madrid’s opening goal.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that referee Daniel Siebert made the correct decision to let play continue. Simons had been preparing to shoot from the edge of the box early in the second half when he went down under pressure from Álvarez, but the referee waved away appeals.
Atletico quickly capitalised, launching a swift counter-attack that ended with Ademola Lookman setting up Álvarez, who finished clinically past Guglielmo Vicario.
Despite Tottenham securing a 3-2 win on the night—thanks largely to a brace from Simons—they were eliminated 7-5 on aggregate and felt aggrieved that the goal stood.
Hackett backed the officials, suggesting Simons went down too easily and stressing that football is a contact sport. He also agreed with VAR’s decision not to intervene, supporting the legitimacy of the goal.
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor, however, disagreed. Speaking after the match, he claimed the missed foul on Simons was “obvious” and had a noticeable impact on the flow of the game.
Although disappointed with the decision, Spurs will take confidence from the win as they turn their focus to a crucial upcoming clash against Nottingham F
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