Xavi Simons celebrations against Brighton have resulted in calls for a rule change. (Image: Getty)
Spurs have been told they should have been given a ‘definite penalty’ in their 2-2 draw with Brighton at the weekend. Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd believed Roberto De Zerbi’s side should have been granted a spot kick when Destiny Udogie was brought down just ten minutes into the match.
It could prove a pivotal moment in the relegation scrap after the Spurs defender hit the deck inside the area under the challenge of Yankuba Minteh, but no penalty was awarded. Instead, referee Stuart Attwell dismissed the appeals and Jarred Gillet on VAR backed the official’s on-field judgement, with the score locked at 0-0.
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Speaking to Sky Sports Ref Watch, Bothroyd said: “That is a definite penalty, if that happens in the middle of the pitch, it is a definite foul.
“It is a definite penalty, he has come across him, he has done what he is meant to do, he has got his body across and there is contact. And from when there is contact, any contact, and he goes down, it is a penalty. I do not understand why this is not given.”
However, former top-flight official Dermot Gallagher explained the decision and said: “The only certainty is the VAR [Jarred Gillet] is not getting involved because whatever the referee [Stuart Attwell] gives, he will stick with.
“It was just a tangle, they felt he was going down early. If the referee gives a penalty, the VAR will still uphold it, but it is on-field call.”
Xavi Simons produced one of his finest performances in a Tottenham shirt, teeing up Pedro Porro for the opener before unleashing a stunning strike in the second half that appeared set to seal the victory, only for Georginio Rutter’s late equaliser to deny Spurs all three points.
Xavi Simons scored a wonderful goal for Spurs against Brighton. (Image: Getty)
The penalty decision was not the only flashpoint in the match, with a number of Brighton supporters questioning why Simons escaped a yellow card after leaping into the crowd to celebrate with the home fans after his wonderstrike, removing his shirt in the celebrations.
“He’s committed two offences, but they’re both the same,” Gallagher said. “Over-celebration of a goal. The directive to referees is try not to penalise for one offence. I think the referee has been very sensible. Can you imagine of he had given him a second yellow card? There would be more kick back this morning than there is now.
“In isolation, they are both yellow cards. Because it’s all interlinked, there would be so much more [controversy]. I get what people are saying about the emotion. Luckily, he wasn’t already on a yellow card.”
Bothroyd made his feelings abundantly clear, stating: “If you send him off for that, it would be ridiculous. It’s a rule that should be changed. You’re jubilant, they are where they are in the league. How can you penalise that?”
West Ham United take to the pitch this evening against Crystal Palace in their game in hand, and victory could see them pull four points clear of Spurs.