Xavi Simmons’ celebration against Brighton has sparked calls for a rule change. (Image: Getty)
Spurs are said to have been given a “clear penalty” for their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd believes Roberto De Zerbi’s side should have been awarded a spot-kick when Destiny Udoghi was brought down just 10 minutes into the game.
A Spurs defender was hit by a deck in the area following a challenge from Yankuba Minte, but no penalty was awarded and it could have been a decisive moment in the relegation battle. Instead, referee Stuart Attwell rejected the appeal and Jared Gillett upheld the referee’s on-field decision with VAR, making the score 0-0.
Express sports on FB! Get all the best sports news and more on our Facebook page
“That was a clear penalty. When it happens in the middle of the pitch, it’s a clear foul,” Bothroyd told Sky Sports Ref Watch.
“This is a clear penalty. He met him, he did what he had to do, there was physical contact. And when there was contact, any contact, from the time he went down, it’s a penalty. I don’t understand why this isn’t given.”
However, former Top League official Dermot Gallagher explained the decision, saying: “The only certainty is that whatever the referee (Stuart Attwell) decides, he will follow, so VAR (Jared Gillett) will not be involved.”
“It was just a tangle. They felt he was going to go down early. If the referee awarded a penalty, VAR would uphold it, but it’s an on-field call.”
Xavi Simmons gave his best performance in a Tottenham shirt, opening the scoring with Pedro Polo and then hitting a stunning shot in the second half that seemed to seal victory, but Georginio Rutter’s late equalizer denied Spurs all three points.
Xavi Simmons scored a fantastic goal for Spurs against Brighton. (Image: Getty)
The penalty award wasn’t the only flash point in the match, with many Brighton fans wondering why Simmons, who took off his shirt in celebration after jumping into the crowd to celebrate with the home fans, had escaped a yellow card.
“He committed two crimes, and they’re both the same,” Mr Gallagher said. “Celebrating the goal too much. The instruction to the referee is not to give a penalty for one foul. I think the referee was very smart. Can you imagine he gave him a second yellow card? There would have been more kickbacks this morning than there are now.”
“If you look at them in isolation, they’re both yellow cards. Everything is intertwined, so there’s going to be a lot more (controversy). I understand what people are saying about emotions. Fortunately, he didn’t get a yellow card yet.”
Bothroyd made his feelings clear, saying: “If you send him off for something like that, that’s ridiculous. It’s a rule that should be changed. I’m over the moon, they’re where they are in the league now. How can you punish that?”
West Ham United play Crystal Palace tonight and a win would take them four points clear of Spurs.
