Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Tue 19 May 2026 22:27, UK

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The Premier League have confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur did not receive a penalty late on in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea due to the ball being out of play at the time.

With five minutes to go, Spurs were throwing men forward in hopes of scoring a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge.

A draw would have effectively kept Tottenham up and sent West Ham United down due to their vastly superior goal difference.

Therefore, the visitors insisted that they should have been awarded a spot kick when Marc Cucurella dragged down Micky van de Ven inside the penalty area.

However, the Premier League have insisted that this was checked and cleared by VAR in the damning Spurs defeat.

Premier League confirmed ball was out of play in Spurs penalty claim

Late in the match, Spurs won a corner, with players on both sides grappling each other’s shirts.

Then, when it was taken, van de Ven appeared to be dragged down by Cucurella, with many Tottenham players and coaches screaming for a penalty kick.

Yet, referee Stuart Attwell explained that it could not be awarded due to the ball not being in play and the Premier League Match Centre via X on 19 May has confirmed that VAR confirmed this decision.

The statement read: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the action from Cucurella had ended before the ball was in play.”

#CHETOT – 85’

The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the action from Cucurella had ended before the ball was in play.

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) May 19, 2026

As a result, Spurs were condemned to a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, damaging their survival hopes.

What would relegation do to Tottenham?

Former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider that Spurs’ owners would have to inject £100million into the club if they were to be relegated.

Tottenham are majority owned by ENIC, with the Lewis family’s shares in the British investment company worth 70.12 per cent and former executive chairman Daniel Levy holding a 29.88 per cent stake. 

Spurs’ revenue could drop by £200m if they were to play in the Championship next campaign, a serious blow to their finances.

Luckily, the task remains the same for the club, with a win against Everton set to mathematically ensure their survival, no matter what West Ham does.

However, if the Hammers beat Leeds United and Spurs lose, the North London club will be relegated.