Cristian Romero was sent off during Tottenham's match against Manchester United and will now miss four games including the crucial Arsenal derby
Cristian Romero
Cristian Romero received his second red card of the season(Image: Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank insists Cristian Romero remains amongst his most vital players, with the Argentine apologising to his teammates following his second red card of the Premier League campaign. The 27-year-old was sent off with a straight red in the opening half for a tackle on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
His dismissal left his teammates facing a resurgent United for more than an hour a man down, and he'll now serve a four-match suspension. Romero will be absent for fixtures against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
While there was initial worry for Casemiro after Romero's challenge on the Brazilian's ankle, the United midfielder was able to carry on.
Following the match, Frank revealed Romero had apologised to the squad and emphasised he has no second thoughts about retaining him as captain, despite his recent social media criticism of the club's leadership.
"No, there is not [regrets about making him captain]," Frank said. "He's apologised to his team-mates in the changing room.
Cristian Romero, Matheus Cunha and Lisandro Martinez
Cristian Romero was sent off for a challenge on Casemiro(Image: Getty Images)
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"He's one of our most important players. He doesn't have any intention to get a red card. Cuti tried to go for the ball.
"You play with passion and aggression and there's a fine line. He's apologised to the team and that's enough for me right now, there's nothing more to do."
At the time, TNT co-commentator Ally McCoist said of the challenge: "He definitely catches studs on ankle. It does look really painful.
"I don't think he needs to follow through, I think it's ridiculous. There's a way he can challenge for the ball and win the ball, it's madness.
"He's just letting his teammates down again, he doesn't need to do that." The Premier League's official Match Centre account on X provided clarification regarding Romero's sending off, and why the ruling stood following review.
The statement read: "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."
Romero made his 20th Premier League start against United, and prior to kick-off there were questions over whether Frank would retain him as captain following the defender's social media remarks.
"Romero is 27-years-old. Is he still going to make mistakes going forward as a leader, does he do a lot of good things Yes," Frank said in defence of his player.
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