Archie Gray during Champions League 2025/2026, round of 16, 1st leg, March 10 ,2026 / Ibrahim Sangare of Nottingham Forest in action during the Pre...
Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Mon 23 March 2026 11:15, UK
Archie Gray and Ibrahim Sangare both deserved yellow cards after a clash between the Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest stars.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Michael Oliver missed two cautions in North London on Sunday, 22 March.
The incident might have had further repercussions on the game, with Forest’s No.6 later going into the referee’s notebook for a foul on Cristian Romero, and it continues to be one that divides opinion.
Igor Tudor’s side fell to another defeat, thanks to goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi. Despite the team’s relegation fears, the referee remained a major talking point.
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Michael Oliver misses sanctions for Tottenham and Nottingham Forest duo
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “That’s a better view than I had before. It’s an interesting one. I still stick with the view that Sangare’s challenge was borderline reckless.
“But in addition to that, Archie Gray also came sliding in, totally out of control. It’s unusual, but because we have the replay, we can judge that both players deserved a yellow card.
“This is the clarity that is available to VAR. When you look at these challenges with a more measured eye, there’s no doubt that Gray is reckless, and likewise with Sangare.
Stats [FotMob] Archie Gray Ibrahim Sangare
Minutes played 84 90
Passing accuracy 78% (45/58) 84% (32/38)
Chances created 1 0
Dispossessed 2 0
Tackles 2 4
Recoveries 6 5
Dribbled past 0 3
Ground duels won 40% (2/5) 38% (5/13)
“I can understand the referee’s view, and VAR are still unable to come in. Both players have committed reckless challenges, so both should have been cautioned.”
What else did the referee miss in North London?
As well as missing sanctions for Gray and Sangare, Oliver made a couple of other blatant errors.
Quite early on, Ola Aina attempted to clear the ball, only to make contact with Pape Sarr inside the penalty area, but the referee didn’t award the penalty, likely because the player tried to stay on his feet.
Hackett has previously complained about Premier League clubs time-wasting this season, and there was more of that in North London, as Forest did everything to keep hold of the ball.
Oliver could have easily intervened with more yellow cards, but the Lilywhites were left frustrated during their 3-0 defeat, which leaves them one point above the relegation zone.
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