Tottenham felt that Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford could have been sent off in their Premier League victory on Saturday, and Mark Clattenburg has his say on the appeal.
Trafford dominated the headlines at the Etihad Stadium after his error gifted Spurs a second goal that proved too much for City to respond to. Tottenham dominated the contest, and Trafford endured a home debut to forget.
Before his costly mistake, Trafford had raced out to meet a forward ball, clattering into Spurs forward Mohammed Kudus and clearing the ball on the edge of the area.
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-TOTTENHAM
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Spurs appealed for a penalty as Trafford knocked over Kudus, but referee Peter Bankes waved play on and there was no intervention from VAR.
Mark Clattenburg dismisses Tottenham penalty shouts vs Man City
Speaking exclusively to TBR Football, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg hailed Peter Bankes’ decision to allow James Trafford and Mohammed Kudus to contest the loose ball without awarding a free kick either way.
Had Trafford been penalised, he could have been sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, handing Spurs a significant advantage. Yet Clattenburg feels the right decision was made.
Clattenburg said: “James Trafford runs the risk of giving away a free kick and a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity when challenging for the ball with Mohammed Kudos.
“In a split second, Kudus plays the ball onto Trafford’s body, which changes the direction of the ball. This is why I can understand the referee’s decision of play on.”
VAR made brave James Trafford red card decision in Man City vs Tottenham
Continuing, Clattenburg also praised the Video Assistant Referee for its sensible review of the incident. There was a suggestion of handball as Trafford collided with Kudus outside the area, but Clattenburg dismissed it.
James Trafford of Manchester City reacts after conceding during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
He said: “Was the challenge a foul or did Trafford handle the ball outside his goal area? This is then looked at by VAR, and they decided that the challenge was fair and that the ball hit his body and not his arm.
“I agree with the decision to play on and football should not be refereed in slow motion as this all happens in a split second on two players trying to play the ball in a challenge.”
The decision did not end up impacting the result as Spurs ran out deserved winners, and Trafford’s position was left uncertain following his later error.