Tottenham are preparing to make a formal complaint to refereeing body Pro Ref over the decision not to send off Leeds defender Jayden Bogle during Saturday’s defeat at Elland Road.
Bogle, 26, caught Tottenham forward Mathys Tel on the back of the ankle with his studs during the first half, but escaped without a card. The incident was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), although referee John Brooks was not asked to look at the pitch-side monitor.
Tottenham believe the challenge should have resulted in a dismissal and are expected to write to Pro Ref to ask why no red card was issued.
Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said Bogle had been “fortunate” to remain on the pitch.
“Bogle’s challenge meets the criteria for serious foul play as he endangers the safety of an opponent,” Cann told BBC Sport. “He can consider himself lucky to still be on the pitch.”
The VAR review lasted four minutes and was carried out entirely by officials at the Stockley Park hub. By the time the match restarted, fewer than nine minutes of the first half remained.
Tottenham’s momentum and composure appeared to fade during the delay, and Roberto de Zerbi’s side did not recover after the incident. Leeds controlled the contest after half-time, with the home team outworking and outplaying Spurs.
However, De Zerbi did not blame the result on the refereeing decision, despite Tottenham’s recent progress up the table.
“We deserved to lose the game in the second half and didn’t play like we can,” he told TNT Sports. “It’s a journey for us because we can learn from this game.
“I am sorry for the performance in the second half – we didn’t play like a top team. We didn’t have the right character and physicality in the second half.”
De Zerbi backs officials despite Tottenham frustration
When the announcement confirming a VAR check was made at Elland Road, it appeared likely that Bogle would be sent off. The Leeds defender had committed fully while attempting to win the ball from Tel, in a challenge that appeared similar to the one which saw Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta dismissed against Spurs the previous weekend.
Brooks’ decision not to visit the monitor added to the uncertainty. Michael Brown, the former Tottenham midfielder, said the outcome would prompt discussion.
“They’ve said no red card, and this will create debate,” Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Because Bogle had not initially been booked, he ultimately received no punishment for the challenge.
De Zerbi said he retained confidence in both the referee and VAR.
“I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to the monitor,” he said. “If they didn’t take the right decision I don’t know. We have to keep the eyes on the performance where can improve.”
Tottenham’s frustration boiled over early in the second half when Pedro Porro and De Zerbi were booked at the same time after a challenge by the Spanish defender.
De Zerbi called Porro’s yellow card “incredible” in light of the first-half incident.
“I was surprised on the yellow card for Pedro Porro because it was clear,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “The potential red card, I couldn’t say.
“We have full confidence in the referee and VAR. I cannot say nothing more.”
