Tamworth v Tottenham: Ex-PGMOL chief hits out over handling of Dragusin incident
Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin should have been booked by referee Peter Bankes after an incident with Tamworth’s Daniel Creaney, according to Keith Hackett.
Spurs had to wait until extra time to see off the Nationa League side with Ange Postecoglou’s men eventually winning 2-0 in Staffordshire.
When lining up for a Tamworth corner in the second half, Creaney was seen tussling with Dragusin before eventually rugby-tackling the Romania international to the ground.
Both players were booked seconds later when they came together again after an initial talking-to by Bankes.
Former PGMOL general manager Hackett believes Bankes should have just booked the pair instantly after the first coming together.
“Grappling inside the penalty area is more about the game of rugby and certainly should not be allowed on the football field,” Hackett told Tottenham News.
“Blocking, holding, pulling, pushing, and the referee going in and having a word of warning does not work. He should have issued a yellow card to both players.
“He did not – immediately after with similar holding he issued a yellow card to a member of both teams.“
Dragusin in the thick of it in Tamworth v Tottenham
Dragusin was at the centre of a few incidents against the National League side at The Lamb Ground on Sunday (12 January).
He fouled Creaney not long after and despite appeals by Tamworth players for a second yellow, Bankes instead booked long-throw expert Tom Tonks for asking the referee brandishes a red card.
Spurs will find out their fourth round opponents later on Sunday after the Lambs were denied an FA Cup replay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, Maddison was mocked by Tamworth supporters ahead of kick-off.
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