James Maddison feels he was very hard done by in the closing stages of Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
The attacker made his first appearance of the season after stepping off the bench with six minutes of normal time left to play.
How are we not getting these decisions? 😡
Spurs still have not been awarded a penalty this season… 😳
Tottenham looked a lot more threatening with him on the pitch, and in the dying embers of the game, he felt he should have had a penalty when Lukas Nmecha challenged him in the penalty area.
The referee and VAR disagreed with Maddison, however, and now a former Premier League striker has agreed with every word the Tottenham star has said.
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Charlie Austin agrees with Maddison on referees
After the decision not to award him a penalty that would have given Spurs a huge chance for a big three points, Maddison took to Instagram.
He posted: “For clarity…The small, tiny touch on the ball to change direction came from the outside of my right foot, not Nmecha, and I told the ref that, but the check was over in about 20 seconds.
“Officials are petrified to make decisions on the pitch now because of VAR. We keep fighting. COYS.”
Austin was quizzed about Maddison’s comments on Sky Sports News earlier today, and he believes that the Spurs number 10 is absolutely spot on.
He said: “I’m with James Maddison and I understand his frustration.
“However, Maddison has been injured all season, and like us all, he’s been watching football, and just like the fans, he thinks referees are petrified.
“First game, he’s involved in that, and he clearly feels hard done by.
“For me, it’s be brave, don’t rely on VAR, that’s the frustration for me.”
Roberto De Zerbi has to consider starting Maddison at Chelsea
Tottenham are now at the point of no return.
As a result, De Zerbi has to consider starting Maddison against Chelsea next week as the team goes on a desperate search for three points.
Tottenham looked so much more attacking with Maddison on the pitch against Leeds, and although his minutes do need managing, there is nothing to lose now by starting him.
With two games remaining, there is no time to waste, and with a week to go until the next game, Maddison should be in a position to start at Stamford Bridge.
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