Martin Keown explains what he 'can’t quite fathom' after Leeds United's win over Tottenham Hotspur
Martin Keown has weighed in on a controversial decision made in Leeds United's win over Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has conceded he “can’t quite fathom” a decision made by VAR during Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Daniel Farke’s side claimed three points at the expense of Spurs on Saturday (November 7), edging past the North London club with a late Noah Okafor winner.
It was not a game without controversy, as many felt Whites defender Jayden Bogle was fortunate not to see red for a challenge on Spurs winger Mathys Tel.
Martin Keown on incident in Leeds United win
Keown is among those who felt Bogle was fortunate and has labelled the 26-year-old’s challenge as “reckless.”
He told talKSPORT: “It looks reckless. We’re just showing the clip, we’re not seeing it in real speed. I think he’s trying to somehow line him up to tackle him with his right foot. He plants his left and his left foot goes right down the Achilles of Tel.
“Actually, as he does it, he twists his ankle at the same time. It looks out of control. I’m pretty surprised, if we’re looking for consistency, I’m a little bit surprised he hasn’t gone for that. It does look poor.
“At least it should have been a yellow. It’s the studs, it’s the full six studs isn’t it? All the way down the back of the Achilles. I can’t quite fathom how VAR looks at that and doesn’t punish.”
View shared by ex-referee
Tottenham are complaining to Pro Ref about the decision and Keown’s surprise has been shared by former Premier League official Graham Barber.
He said: “I thought it was a very, very poor challenge, it was reckless at best but you could describe it as dangerous and endangering the safety of the opponent, and did it endanger the safety of the opponent? Well, the answer is probably yes, because he had to leave the field of play about five minutes later.”