Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero ‘did NOT deserve to be sent off for their early fouls’ during Spurs’ 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, claims former referee… after duo escaped red cards only to be dismissed later in the match

A former Premier League referee has claimed that officials made the right call by not dismissing Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero for their early fouls on Monday night.  

Tottenham’s league clash with Chelsea was filled with controversy as the hosts finished the match with nine-men and saw their unbeaten streak end following a 4-1 defeat. 

Both Udogie and Romero were sent off during the match – the Argentine before half-time and the Italian after – leaving Tottenham with a huge uphill battle on the night. 

The task proved too much for Ange Postecoglou’s side but it could’ve been made worse, had officials opted to send either defender off earlier in the match. 

Prior to their red cards, Udogie received a yellow card for a two-footed challenge in the first-half while Romero escaped without any caution despite kicking out at Chelsea’s Levi Colwill. 

Central defender Cristian Romero (R) was also dismissed as Tottenham finished with nine-men

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher agreed with the decision to book the defensive duo for their early tackles rather than send them off

While some users on social media claimed the Spurs duo should’ve been sent off for their respective offences, Dermot Gallagher has suggested otherwise. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former referee analysed Udogie’s foul and said: ‘I think the right decision has been reached. It’s not a nice tackle, there’s no doubt about that but he’s clearly missed his opponent. 

‘He gets some of the ball, which doesn’t make it right but he hasn’t caught him. Sterling’s evaded it and that’s what’s saved Udogie. If he hadn’t evaded him, without a doubt he would’ve got a red card’.

Then, when reflecting on Romero’s kick-out at Colwill, Gallagher said: ‘I think this is a dilemma for VAR. It’s petulant, there’s no doubt about that. It’s unnecessary but it’s not violent. 

‘It’s almost shin against calf. It’s not as if he’s caught him with his studs or if he’s brought his leg back a long way and kicked out at him. 

‘The dilemma there for the VAR is that he knows it’s not a red card so all he can say to the referee is that it’s not a violent act of conduct’. 

Udogie was only booked for a two-footed challenge on Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling

Romero also could have received a red earlier in the half after he kicked out at Levi Colwill

Central defender Romero came under particular criticism from pundits and analysts on the night, with Gary Neville claiming he had ‘no sympathy’ for the Argentine. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville reflected on Romero’s penalty tackle and said: ‘That is a penalty. He plays the ball but no idea why he follows through like he does. Mad challenge.

‘He doesn’t have to put his studs into Fernandez’ shin. In trouble with fact that it’s high. If you go back to Curtis Jones a few weeks ago that I thought was harsh, this one is a lot worse. Trust me as a defender that is not a natural follow-through.

‘Definite penalty but it’s whether it is a red. It’s red. He could have gone earlier, no sympathy for him, he makes wild challenges, passionate and fiery but he knows what he is doing and it’s the wildest of challenges. Tottenham fans are going crazy.’