MusaFormer Premier League referee Mike Dean has delivered a strong verdict on the controversial challenge that left Mathys Tel injured during Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat to Leeds United, insisting Jayden Bogle should have been shown a straight red card.
The incident occurred at Elland Road, where Tottenham suffered a frustrating defeat after Noah Okafor found the net in the second half. However, much of the post-match discussion has centred on Bogle’s challenge on Tel, with growing frustration over the decision to allow the Leeds defender to remain on the pitch.
Tel was unable to continue after Bogle caught him around the Achilles during the challenge. The Tottenham forward received treatment on the pitch before being withdrawn shortly before half-time, with Dominic Solanke introduced as his replacement.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, referee John Brooks decided against showing Bogle a card. The Leeds defender continued playing and was eventually substituted in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
There was also considerable attention on VAR official Tony Harrington, who had sufficient time to examine the incident while Tel was receiving treatment. However, after reviewing the challenge, VAR decided to uphold Brooks’ original decision rather than recommend an on-field review.
Mike Dean was left unconvinced by the officials’ decision when he examined the footage during Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday programme. The former Premier League referee made it clear that he believed Bogle had committed a serious offence deserving of a red card.
Dean said: “It is 100% a red; he has caught him right down the back of the Achilles.
“It is not a good tackle at all. I would be astounded if John Brooks is not sent to the screen.”
Dean was not the only former match official to question the decision, as ex-Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann also suggested that Bogle was fortunate to escape punishment.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Cann explained that the nature of the challenge should have resulted in a sending-off, particularly given the danger it posed to Tel.
He said: “Jayden Bogle was, in my opinion, very fortunate to escape a red card for a challenge on Mathys Tel.”
Cann went further by drawing comparisons with Ryan Sessegnon’s dismissal for Fulham against Hull City, arguing that both incidents shared similarities in the way contact was made with an opponent’s Achilles.
“Bogle stood on the back of Tel’s Achilles.
“The challenge was similar to Ryan Sessegnon’s red card challenge for Fulham against Hull (City) a few weeks ago. Bogle’s challenge meets the criteria for serious foul play as he endangers the safety of an opponent, and he can consider himself lucky to still be on the pitch.”
He also questioned why VAR failed to recommend a review despite the lengthy stoppage for Tel’s treatment, which provided the officials with an opportunity to assess the incident carefully.
“Tel needed lengthy treatment, which enabled the VAR to consider a red card closely, but ultimately it was decided the challenge didn’t meet the threshold for a sending off.”
The Premier League Match Centre also provided an explanation on X at half-time, confirming that the decision had been checked by VAR and upheld.
Its statement read: “The referee’s call of no red card to Bogle for the challenge on Tel was checked and confirmed by VAR.”
A separate explanation attributed to the VAR official suggested that the challenge lacked sufficient speed to justify a dismissal, while acknowledging that it was reckless.
“I’m confirming the on-field decision of no red card. There’s a lack of speed going into the challenge and he’s stepping into the tackle. Confirming a reckless challenge.”
Nevertheless, the explanation has done little to silence the criticism, particularly among Tottenham supporters who believe the officials failed to apply the rules consistently.
Reports indicate that Spurs are now preparing to submit a formal complaint to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), commonly referred to as Pro Ref, requesting clarification over why Bogle was not sent off.
The club are understood to believe the challenge warranted a dismissal and want an explanation of the reasoning behind the VAR decision.
Roberto De Zerbi was also asked about the incident following the defeat during Match of the Day. However, the Tottenham manager avoided making a direct accusation against the officials.
He said: “The potential red card, I couldn’t say. We have full confidence in the referee and VAR. I cannot say nothing more.”
While De Zerbi chose his words carefully, the debate surrounding Bogle’s challenge is unlikely to disappear quickly, especially with two former officials publicly questioning the decision.
For Tottenham, the bigger concern will be Tel’s condition and how his absence could affect the squad in the coming fixtures. However, supporters will also want answers over why a challenge that left one of their players unable to continue did not result in a red card.
Musa
