Tottenham manager Thomas Frank hit out at referee John Brooks after Cristian Romero’s dismissal in the 2-1 Premier League loss to Liverpool on Saturday.
Romero was sent off for a second yellow card with the third minute of injury time at the end of the game to leave Spurs down to nine men.
Xavi Simons had been dismissed with a straight red after 33 minutes with the match evenly poised, but Alexander Isak broke the deadlock with his effort on 56 minutes before Hugo Ekitike doubled the Reds’ lead with his goal on 66 minutes.
Richarlison pulled a goal back with 83 minutes played as Tottenham chased a late equaliser, before Romero’s exit.
Speaking after the game, a fuming Frank explained that the referee made a very poor call with regards to the sending off.
He told Sky Sports: “There is a massive mistake by John [Brooks] on the pitch. Two hands on the back (of Romero) by Ekitike.
“I don’t understand how he didn’t see it. OK. Luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn’t. That was the second mistake.
“I think if you go back to that [second Liverpool goal] and the referee did his job, then I think it would not have been a first yellow [for Romero]. Is that fair to say?
“I have a player that is extremely passionate, and if you have a passionate player then you need to go to the line sometimes.”
Spurs are in 13th on the top-flight standings with 22 points from 17 games. They are next in action away to Crystal Palace after Christmas.
