Tottenham are preparing to send a formal complaint to Pro Ref after Leeds United defender Jayden Bogle avoided disciplinary action for a challenge on Mathys Tel, a Spurs complaint over Bogle tackle that centres on the failure to issue a red card during the 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.
The incident occurred in the first half when Bogle made contact with Tel’s Achilles. Referee John Brooks awarded a foul but did not produce a card of any colour, and the Spurs forward was unable to continue, forcing an early substitution before the interval.
VAR review confirms no red card
A four-minute VAR check followed, with Tony Harrington reviewing the footage. Harrington chose not to recommend an on-field review, and the Premier League Match Centre stated that the on-field decision of no red card had been confirmed. The explanation cited a lack of speed in the challenge and noted that Bogle was stepping into the tackle. The contact was ultimately judged to be reckless rather than serious foul play.
The decision stood despite the severity of the outcome for Tel, who was withdrawn before half-time. The match finished 1-0 to Leeds, adding to Tottenham’s frustration on a difficult afternoon.
Dean disputes the call
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean offered a sharply contrasting view of the incident. Dean described the tackle as a certain red card and said Bogle had caught Tel low on the back of the Achilles. He added that the challenge was not a good one and expressed surprise that Brooks was not instructed to review the incident at the pitchside monitor.
Dean’s assessment underlines the wider debate about consistency in disciplinary decisions, particularly when a challenge results in injury. The fact that Bogle was not even cautioned has intensified scrutiny of the process.
De Zerbi backs officials but questions consistency
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi was measured when asked whether he wanted Brooks to view the incident again. He said he retained confidence in the referee and suggested that a pitchside review would not necessarily have altered the outcome.
De Zerbi also pointed to another decision that he felt was inconsistent: the yellow card shown to Pedro Porro for a second-half challenge on Nmecha. While he admitted uncertainty over whether the Bogle tackle merited a red card, he argued that the referee’s overall standards were not good enough across both situations. He stressed that his players must focus on their performance and the areas where they can improve.
Context of recent precedent
The controversy comes a week after Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta was sent off for a similar challenge in Tottenham’s victory over the Eagles. That recent precedent has heightened the sense of inconsistency around how such tackles are punished, and it forms part of the backdrop to the club’s decision to escalate the matter.
By submitting a formal complaint to Pro Ref, Tottenham are seeking an explanation for the handling of the incident. The club’s action reflects concern not only about the challenge itself but also about the process that led to Bogle remaining on the pitch without sanction while Tel was forced off.
