Maddison has a pop at VAR after Spurs’ win against West Ham, saying eferees have had ‘shocker’ start to the season.
Referees and video assistant referees have had a “absolute shocker of a start” to the Premier League season, according to James Maddison of Tottenham.
After Cristian Romero’s goal in Spurs’ 3-0 victory over West Ham was disallowed, Maddison, who is sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, posted his dissatisfaction on X.
At London Stadium on Saturday, the Tottenham captain believed he had taken the lead until referee Jarred Gillett blew his whistle for what appeared to be a foul on Kyle Walker-Peters by Micky van de Ven shortly before.
VAR John Brooks briefly checked the incident before upholding Gillett’s decision.
“The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Van de Ven pushed Walker-Peters in the back and impacted his ability to play the ball,” the Premier League Match Centre posted on X moments later.
According to replays, Van de Ven was forced into Walker-Peters after Mateus Fernandes was shoved into his back by West Ham custodian Mads Hermansen.
In response to the decision, Maddison said: “Honestly the referees and VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season.
“If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without [the] referee blowing for something ever again.”
Former Wales centre-back Ashley Williams agreed with Maddison, saying Romero’s goal should have stood.
“West Ham’s goalkeeper pushes his own player into Micky Van der Ven, who then collides with Kyle Walker-Peters but the Tottenham player didn’t initiate that contact. We’ve watched it back numerous times and you can see he doesn’t push Walker-Peters over.”” Williams said.
“The referee’s given the decision on the field and because of that, VAR is reluctant to intervene but that’s what they’re there for. We’d like to see more goals given and it’s the wrong decision, which is frustrating.”