‘Think again’ – Ex-refs chief blasts officials for ‘ignoring’ red card offence in Tottenham vs Chelsea
Tottenham should have been reduced to ten men in the first half of their London derby defeat to Chelsea on Saturday (1 November) evening.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Jarred Gillett failed to properly punish Spurs for a serious foul play offence.
Chelsea beat Tottenham 1-0 in North London to move level on points with Thomas Frank’s side, and up to fifth in the Premier League.
Joao Pedro scored the only goal of the contest after Moises Caicedo pounced on a Spurs defensive mistake, setting up the Brazilian to fire into the top corner.
Rodrigo Bentancur should have seen red
Pedro’s 34th-minute opener failed to spark Tottenham into life, and as the first half drew to a close, the home side were still struggling for a foothold in the game.
Just before the break, Rodrigo Bentancur went clattering into Chelsea captain Reece James, leaving the England international writhing on the floor in pain.
James had flicked the ball away moments before Bentancur came steaming in, and the Uruguayan international caught the Englishman on the ankle with a studs-up challenge.
The Blues were clearly unhappy with the force behind the foul, and a melee ensued.
However, once referee Gillett had calmed everything down, he opted to book Bentancur rather than show him a red card, with Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah also cautioned for his reaction to the challenge.
PGMOL are ignoring instances of serious foul play
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfielder’s challenge, Hackett said: “The challenge on Bentancur did, in my opinion, fulfil the law for serious foul play. He came in with force and endangered the safety of an opponent.
“Sadly, it appears that the PGMOL are satisfied that this type of offence should receive a yellow card. They should think again.
“The pain upon receiving that challenge, lower leg to top of the boot, is now becoming too regular, and the referees are ignoring it.”