Romero has had a nightmare againplaceholder image
Romero has had a nightmare again | Getty Images
Tottenham star Cristian Romero has been slammed for his reckless tackle and red card against Manchester United.
Tottenham have been let down by their skipper, and not for the first time. Cristian Romero has been sent off in the first half of Spurs’ Premier League clash with Manchester United, capping a rather controversial week or so.
Romero drew more criticism for another critical social media post, but while he also admitted that the issue would be dealt with internally, Thomas Frank backed his skipper and explained his decision to start the centre-back with a simple summation that he starts his best players.
Romero failed to repay the faith of his manager, getting sent off in the 29th minute when he left a boot on the ankle of Casemiro, following through on a challenge around 10 yards outside his own box.
The decision was reviewed and quickly confirmed by VAR. The Premier League Match Centre explained: “The referee’s call of red card to Romero for serious foul play was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that the challenge was made with excessive force and endangered an opponent.”
Just eight minutes later, United took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo. And you have to spare a thought for Wilson odobert, who had to be substituted to make way for Radu Dragusin to fill the gap in the back line.
On the TNT Sports commentary, co-commentator Ally McCoist criticised Romero for his challenge, saying: “Having played the game, you can kick the ball and there is no need to follow through. if you want to slice the ball, okay, but you run the risk of what has happened there - a red card. There’s no need.”
Tottenham now face a real uphill battle to get back into the game in the second half, and Frank will have to answer even more questions about the supposed leader of his team at full-time.
Frank on Romero’s social media post
After Romero described Tottenham’s lack of depth as ‘disgraceful’, Frank said in his pre-match press conference ahead of this game: “I think if you want to know what he meant you of course need to ask him. I think that is the right way to take that question. Cuti is a very passionate character and player that wants to leave everything on the pitch. He is very ambitious and wants to win every single time - sometimes when you are like that, sometimes there can be an outburst, which happened this time. It is something we of course dealt with and dealt with internally.”
He added on the defender’s use of social media: “There are a lot of ways of doing things. Cuti has been very good for us this season and the past seasons and I think that is very important to be aware of. I would not have done it. That is my message.”
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