Ex-PGMOL chief accuses Tottenham star of cheating after controversial incident vs Bournemouth
Tottenham’s horror show under Thomas Frank continued with a last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
In a thrilling clash at the Vitality Stadium, Spurs thought they’d secured a point when Joao Palhinha scored an incredible bicycle kick.
But the script unfolded how they feared, as Antoine Semenyo – who Tottenham tried to sign before he agreed a move to Manchester City – sent a pile driver past Guglielmo Vicario in added time.
That was Semenyo’s final game for Bournemouth before he joins Man City permanently, and the Ghanaian’s late winner wasn’t the only talking point in an exciting contest.
João Palhinha, WOW! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/0dTLlyjRxK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 7, 2026
Keith Hackett accuses Micky van de Ven of diving vs Bournemouth
In the second half, when Spurs were chasing an equaliser at 2-1 down, Micky van de Ven took matters into his own hands with a trademark, lung-bursting run.
The Dutchman surged into the box and thought he’d won a penalty once Darren England pointed to the spot after feeling James Hill brought him down.
But upon review, VAR waved claims of a Spurs penalty away, as they felt the defender initiated contact by leaving his leg out.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett agreed with VAR’s decision to overturn a penalty, and even accused Van de Ven of cheating.
“The overturn of the penalty kick award to Tottenham is the correct decision,” Hackett said. The attacking player manufacturing contact with his opponent and exaggeration the dive in an act of simulation”
In their desperation situation, the Spurs ace did everything in his locker to buy a penalty, but that is why VAR exists.
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Thomas Frank digs an even bigger hole for himself at Tottenham
Frank has been placed under immense pressure at Tottenham, and he will be lucky to last the full season if their form doesn’t turn around.
Defeat on the South Coast keeps Spurs in 14th, and a worrying six points behind Brentford, the team that the Dane left.
🚨 Thomas Frank has just become the most hated manger in Tottenham history.
— HotspurReports. (@hotspurreports) January 7, 2026
For good reason… pic.twitter.com/UtMwpP9H1m
To make matters worse, Frank was spotted drinking from a club that had an Arsenal badge on it against Bournemouth, which obviously went down like a lead balloon with supporters.
When asked about the above picture that surfaced on social media, the Spurs boss said: “I definitely did not notice it.
“It would be completely stupid of me to take it if I knew. “It’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked about it. I would never do something that stupid.”
Frank is doing himself no favours in his bid to win the fanbase over, and he’s just done something he may never come back from.
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