Tottenham dealt latest attacking injury blow after VAR madness at Leeds

Tottenham have been dealt another attacking injury blow after Mathys Tel limped off before half-time against Leeds.

Tel was unable to continue after being on the end of a stamp by Jayden Bogle, who caught the Frenchman on the ankle with his studs.

VAR spent over four minutes reviewing the incident to determine whether it was a red card offence, only for referee John Brooks – who didn’t even caution Bogle initially – to be told to stick with the on-field decision. This meant the right wing-back got away with the challenge scot free.

“The referee’s call of no red card to Bogle for the challenge on Tel was checked and confirmed by VAR,” said the Premier League Match Centre.

The statement added VAR Tony Harrington’s verdict to Brooks: “I’m confirming the on-field decision of no red card. There’s a lack of speed going into the challenge and he’s stepping into the tackle. Confirming a reckless challenge”.

The challenge was similar to the one that saw Jean-Philippe Mateta shown red after a VAR review when Spurs played Crystal Palace last weekend.

Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi was visibly frustrated with the outcome of the review and expressed his displeasure again when Pedro Porro was booked for a similar foul after the break, with the Italian booked for his reaction.

Roberto De Zerbi was booked for his reaction after Pedro Porro was cautioned for a similar tackle to Jayden Bogle’s (Reuters)

“Pedro Porro’s was a duel and an incredible yellow card. The first situation of Mathys Tel I didn’t see, I can’t say nothing,” De Zerbi told TNT Sports, before stopping short of criticising the officials.

Asked if the referee should have gone to the monitor to review Bogle’s challenge, he said: “No. I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to the monitor. If they didn’t take the right decision I don’t know. We have to keep the eyes on the performance where can improve.”

De Zerbi’s woes were exacerbated when Tel signalled to the bench that he would need to come off, having tried to play through the pain for five minutes.

Tel was replaced by Dominic Solanke in the 43rd minute, who was dropped from the starting line-up following the Palace win.

Mathys Tel was forced off during Tottenham's clash with Leeds — Mathys Tel was forced off during Tottenham’s clash with Leeds (Getty)

De Zerbi’s attacking options have already been ravaged by injury this season and the club will now be left to sweat over the extent of Tel’s setback.

Savio and Mykhailo Mudryk are out until after the international break, while Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are continuing to work their way back from serious knee injuries, with both eyeing returns after the turn of the year.

Tel has impressed for Spurs in recent weeks, scoring a stunning solo goal in their 2-0 win over Chelsea on 24 October, the club’s first victory at Stamford Bridge since 2018.