Leeds’ Jayden Bogle has escaped punishment for a dangerous challenge on Mathys Tel, and the pressure is now growing on the league’s officiating bodies to explain why. Tottenham supporters want answers about the incident at Elland Road, where Bogle’s studs caught Tel around the Achilles. The French forward was left in obvious discomfort. Referee John Brooks produced neither a red nor a yellow card, and VAR official Tony Harrington backed the on-field call after a lengthy check. Tel was eventually forced off before half-time.
Several former referees and pundits have questioned whether VAR got it right. Mike Dean called it a clear red-card offence and said he would have expected the referee to be sent to the monitor, while ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara also voiced his anger. Tottenham are understood to be preparing a formal complaint to Pro Ref and are said to be unhappy with the inconsistent punishment of similar challenges this season. If the authorities did admit the call was wrong, an apology would likely acknowledge that the decision not to recommend an on-field review raised legitimate concerns about how the laws were applied, and that player safety must be a priority.
Spurs’ case rests on the nature of the contact. Replays showed Bogle’s studs landing on the back of Tel’s ankle, near the Achilles. The Premier League Match Centre pointed to Bogle’s lack of speed and the fact he was stepping towards the ball, but many observers feel that shouldn’t rule out serious foul play. The biggest question is why VAR never asked Brooks to look at the footage himself. Consistency is the other issue, as Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for a similar challenge against Tottenham only a week earlier.
Tel’s fitness is another worry. He tried to play on after treatment, but Roberto De Zerbi replaced him with Dominic Solanke in the 43rd minute. That was an unwelcome setback for a side chasing a fourth straight Premier League win, and Spurs will hope the injury isn’t serious.
De Zerbi refused to use the officials as an excuse for the defeat. He said he trusted the referee and VAR, but admitted he was disappointed with his team’s second-half display, which he felt lacked spirit, character and physicality. Leeds made the most of their chances, with Noah Okafor scoring in the 79th minute to win it 1-0.
Even if an apology does arrive, many Tottenham fans will feel words aren’t enough. A dangerous challenge left one of their players injured while the offender faced no sanction, and supporters want assurances that such incidents will be handled consistently in future. The expected complaint could be a key step towards getting answers. Should an admission of error be enough, or should those responsible face further consequences?
