Tottenham have written to the head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to express concerns over the standard of refereeing in their recent matches.
Standard Sport understands the club is primarily concerned with perceived inconsistencies relating to contact in the penalty area which have seen some goals stand and others disallowed. The club feel they have had such decisions go against them too often this season.
Their complaint has been lodged directly with Howard Webb, chief of PGMOL.
Randal Kolo Muani saw an equaliser controversially disallowed during last month’s north London derby after he pushed off Arsenal defender Gabriel, who went to ground.
“It is a clear foul, end of,” said referee Peter Bankes on RefCam footage.
That goal being disallowed was seen as a letter of the law decision, but Spurs were frustrated not to see the same sentiment applied to Harry Wilson’s goal on Sunday, which helped Fulham to a 2-1 victory over Igor Tudor’s side at Craven Cottage.
Raul Jimenez pushed off Radu Dragusin in the build-up to that goal as they challenged one another for an aerial duel, but the contact was not considered forceful enough to warrant a foul.
The defeat at Fulham left Tottenham just four points clear of the relegation zone, and Tudor slammed the decision to let the goal stand.
He fumed: “Of course, it's a foul. It's always a foul. It's an incredible mistake."
VAR did not look into either decision. Of Kolo Muani’s disallowed derby goal, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said there was no need for VAR to get involved.
“The referee gives it, the on-field decision is always going to stand here,” he said on Sky Sports Ref Watch.
“The referee gives the foul on field, he thinks there is enough of a push. VAR is never, ever going to say he’s got it wrong because the evidence is there that there is a push, albeit, people are saying ‘is it enough?’
“But there is a push.”
