Tottenham captain Cristian Romero was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro’s ankle at Old Trafford.
Cristian Romero was shown a red card for a foul on Casemiro (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Cristian Romero will be suspended for four games after being shown a red card for an ill-advised tackle on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro. Tottenham’s captain was sacked 29 minutes into Saturday’s Premier League kick-off at Old Trafford.
Romero challenged Casemiro and caught the Brazilian’s ankle. Referee Michael Oliver was on the scene and immediately handed him a red card.
The Spurs captain didn’t seem to object, but went to check on Casemiro and then trudged off, leaving his side struggling with United’s lead after Brian Mbeumo’s goal moments later.
The player received an additional suspension for his second red card of the season and will miss Spurs’ next four Premier League games against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
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“The referee’s decision to give Romero a red card for a serious foul was confirmed by VAR and the challenge was deemed to have been made with excessive force and endangered the opponent,” Premier League Match Center wrote in a statement to X.
Former Premier League referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport: “Cristian Romero made a strong challenge on Casemiro. It was definitely a serious foul tackle legally. It was a really good call by referee Michael Oliver, who was in a great position.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said: “It was a really fun, high-tempo game, but then Romero ran through the ball with great force and caught Casemiro. It’s a red card. It’s irresponsible, especially after a week where he’s been talking about reinforcements and lack of players. He’s going to miss four games from now. He’s a captain, he’s a leader. He needs to be better. He relies on his team-mates.” They were in the game, so they went down. ”
Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “Romero came in, thought there was going to be a tackle, full throttle. He went all the way. We don’t need (former Premier League referee) Mike Dean. We don’t need VAR. It’s not going to be overturned. I hope Casemiro is OK.”
Cristian Romero went to check on Casemiro after catching him (Image: Neal Simpson/Getty Images)
Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think it’s borderline. It’s a contact sport. Casemiro’s quick thinking got him there first and Romero is working as hard as he always does. It’s not an automatic red for me because he wasn’t going over the top of the ball with the high balls, but he was making contact.”
The red card follows a tumultuous few months for Romero, who has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. In early January, he accused Tottenham’s hierarchy of lying, later calling the team’s lack of depth “disgraceful”.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was forced to defend his captain in the build-up to the game against United. “Kuti is a very passionate player and a captain who wants to leave everything on the pitch,” said Frank.
“He’s very ambitious and wants to win every time. When that happens, like this one, there can be outbursts, but we’ve dealt with them internally.”
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