LONDON — Roberto De Zerbi has expressed that the referee lacked composure during Tottenham’s dramatic 1-1 draw with Leeds on Monday, hinting that the recent VAR incidents from Arsenal’s victory over West Ham may have influenced the officiating decisions.
The weekend was marred by officiating controversy across the Premier League, with two VAR interventions leading Spurs to settle for just one point in north London.
In a pivotal moment, Mathys Tel’s attempted bicycle kick clearance made contact with Ethan Ampadu instead of the ball, prompting VAR official Craig Pawson to recommend that referee Jarred Gillett review the incident on the pitch-side monitor, resulting in a penalty kick for Leeds.
Later on, in the 13th minute of second-half stoppage time, James was fouled in the box by Lukas Nmecha. Gillett, however, did not award a penalty, and this time, VAR opted not to recommend a review, believing Nmecha had touched the ball.
This 1-1 result leaves De Zerbi’s side two points clear of West Ham in the relegation zone with only two matches remaining. Post-match, De Zerbi commented, “From the first minute to the last, the referee warned me that going out of the technical area would lead to a yellow card. I sensed they were not calm today, possibly due to the pressure from the previous day’s matches involving Arsenal and VAR.”
He added, “We certainly felt pressured. We struggled with our pace and organization on the pitch. Our play lacked passion, and the referee also seemed unsettled. I can’t make sense of the complaints regarding VAR from yesterday since [David Raya] was undoubtedly fouled.”
De Zerbi was pleased to see Maddison return to action after over a year sidelined due to severe knee injuries, stating, “This is fantastic news for us. He brings a unique quality and is a key player for our team. I discussed his physical condition with him, and he ended up playing longer than he anticipated.”
Leeds manager Daniel Farke also shared his joy at Maddison’s return, having previously coached him at Norwich City. “It’s a sensitive topic for me because I hold a soft spot for James Maddison. He was with me when he was young, and I hope I played a role in helping him launch his career,” said Farke.
Farke continued, “If you appreciate football, you admire James Maddison for his pure talent and creativity. Seeing such an exceptional player, who is also a remarkable person, sidelined for an extended period, makes his return even more gratifying. In the closing minutes, he demonstrated his ability to deliver decisive passes and set pieces. He possesses the intelligence to win free kicks and potentially earn penalties.”
Tottenham will next face a trip to Chelsea for their penultimate match of the season on Tuesday, May 19, just two days after West Ham faces Newcastle at St James’ Park.