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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Tottenham: Thomas Frank reveals Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven talks after Chelsea snub

Clear-the-air talks: Djed Spence, Thomas Frank and Micky van de Ven - (Standard Sport)

Thomas Frank has revealed Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven have apologised for snubbing him after Tottenham lost to Chelsea.

Spence and Van de Ven ignored Frank as they left the pitch following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

As Spurs were being booed off at home, Frank encouraged his team to do a lap of appreciation around the stadium.

But Spence and stand-in captain Van de Ven walked straight past the Spurs head coach and down the tunnel.

Frank says Spence and Ven de Ven ‘meant no disrespect’ (Action Images via Reuters)

Frank has revealed Spence and Van de Ven came “unprompted” to his office on Sunday for clear-the-air talks and to “say sorry for the situation”.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game with Copenhagen, Frank said: ““Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday unprompted. Just said I want to say sorry for the situation. They didn't want it to look bad or disrespectful or all kind of perception you can get in this beautiful media world.

“So that was not their intention at all towards me or the team or the club. They were just frustrated with the performance, the loss and the booing during the game."

Asked how important was it that Van de Ven and Spence came in to say sorry, Frank said: “If they didn't come in, of course I had to ask them about the situation they were walking in.

“Of course I'm happy, because I knew the question would come today, that they were coming in. And that means they care. I think that's very good. They care about the team, the club. In this case, me. I'm happy with that. So that was very good.

“Then we just had a good talk about a lot of things. And like with everything, we keep it internally.

“Like I said to the players when I said that before, it will be very, very, very unusual if I ever throw a player under the bus. We're all humans, but I'll always protect him."

On whether the case is now closed, Frank added: "For me? Yeah, 100%. I hope it's very clear what I said before."

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