Christian Romero has been sent off for Tottenham against Manchester United as Spurs' hot-headed captain once again lost his cool.
With the score 0-0 in a tight contest at Old Trafford on Saturday, the defender showed studs as he tread on Casemiro's ankle when following through with a risky challenge. The Argentine's rash decision significantly cost his team in a foul that came out of the blue, with Casemiro nowhere near threatening the Spurs goal at the time.
Ally McCoist, commenting on the game for TNT Sports, said: "I don't think there's any excuse for that." The Scottish pundit added: "Why would you do that?" Romero, who has now been sent off six times in his Tottenham career, lingered on the pitch before finally departing in disgrace.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Frankfurt am Main, Germany - January 28: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Tottenham Hotspur at Frankfurt Stadion on January 28, 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Christian Romero has let Tottenham down again (Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Casemiro spent some three minutes on the turf as he felt the effects of the blow to his ankle. And the rash tackle left Tottenham with an hour to play with 10 men and also means a four-game suspension for their captain, because he has already been sent off once already this season.
That will see him miss the North London derby at home against Arsenal, plus games against Newcastle, Fulham and Crystal Palace. It also sees Romero set an unwelcome record, as he has now received his marching orders four times in the Premier League - the joint-most red cards for a Spurs player in the competition's history, level with Younes Kaboul.
Ex-Premier League referee Darren Cann told BBC Sport: "Cristian Romero makes a forceful challenge on Casemiro which is, in law, undoubtedly a serious foul play tackle. It was a really excellent decision from referee Michael Oliver, who was brilliantly positioned."
Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver after a foul on Casemiro
Cristian Romero was shown a red card after a foul on Casemiro (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson said on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday: "Romero comes through, he thinks there's a tackle there, it's full throttle. He follows through. I don't need [ex-Premier League referee] Mike Dean. I don't need VAR. It's not going to be overturned. I hope Casemiro is going to be OK."
However former Everton midfielder Leon Osman had some sympathy for Romero. He said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think that is a borderline one. It is a contact sport. Casemiro's speed of thought gets him there first and Romero as he always does is fully committed. For me it is not an automatic red because it's not like he was high and over the top of the ball, but he does make contact."
Spurs manager Thomas Frank responded by substituting Wilson Odobert, bringing on defender Radu Dragusin. But in the 38th minute his 10 men were made to pay.
Bruno Fernandes played a free kick short to Kobbie Mainoo, who ran towards the United captain from the area of the front post and cut it back to Bryan Mbeumo on the edge of the box, who dispatched an effort past Guglielmo Vicario in the opposition net to make it 1-0 to the home side.