Tottenham set to complain to Pro Ref after Bogle escapes red card

Tottenham are set to submit a formal complaint about the decision not to send off Jayden Bogle for his challenge on Mathys Tel during the defeat by Leeds.

Bogle, 26, escaped any punishment despite catching Spurs forward Tel on the back of the ankle with his studs in the first half of Saturday’s game.

It is understood Tottenham believe Bogle should have been sent off and will write to refereeing body Pro Ref to seek an explanation as to why the incident did not result in a dismissal.

The challenge was reviewed thoroughly by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), but referee John Brooks was not sent to the pitch-side monitor, meaning Bogle escaped any punishment.

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said the Leeds defender was “fortunate” not to be dismissed.

“Bogle’s challenge meets the criteria for serious foul play as he endangers the safety of an opponent,” Cann told BBC Sport. “He can consider himself lucky to still be on the pitch.”

By the time play resumed, there were less than nine minutes of the first half remaining and Tottenham’s momentum – and composure – were fading quickly.

Roberto de Zerbi’s side never appeared to recover from the incident and, after the break, were outworked and outplayed by the home side.

Nevertheless, the Italian – perhaps buoyed by his side’s recent rise up the table – refused to pinpoint Spurs’ failings on the referee’s decision.

“We deserved to lose the game in the second half and didn’t play like we can,” he told TNT Sports. “It’s a journey for us because we can learn from this game.

“I am sorry for the performance in the second half – we didn’t play like a top team. We didn’t have the right character and physicality in the second half.”

‘We have full confidence in the referee and VAR’

When the PA system at Elland Road confirmed there was a VAR check in progress, it seemed only a matter of time before Bogle would be shown a red card.

The Leeds defender was full-blooded in his pursuit of the ball from Tel and seemed certain to follow in the footsteps of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was sent off for a similar challenge against Spurs last weekend.

What was strange about the situation, though, was that at no point did Brooks make his way to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.

It meant the entire four-minute review was conducted solely by those in the VAR hub at Stockley Park.

“They’ve said no red card, and this will create debate,” former Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live.

And because Brooks had not initially cautioned Bogle, the defender escaped the incident without any punishment.

“I have big confidence in the referee. Nothing changes if he goes to the monitor,” said De Zerbi. “If they didn’t take the right decision I don’t know. We have to keep the eyes on the performance where can improve.”

Early in the second half, Tottenham’s frustration – seemingly stemming from the decision not to dismiss Bogle – came to a head when defender Pedro Porro and De Zerbi himself were booked simultaneously following a challenge by the Spanish defender.

De Zerbi described the decision to caution Porro as “incredible” after what had transpired during the first half.

“I was surprised on the yellow card for Pedro Porro because it was clear,” the Italian told BBC Match of the Day. “The potential red card, I couldn’t say.

“We have full confidence in the referee and VAR. I cannot say nothing more.”