Tottenham could still make PGMOL appeal on Thomas Frank’s behalf despite sack
Tottenham could still lodge an appeal to the PGMOL over perceived unfair officiating on behalf of Thomas Frank.
That is the view of former FIFA referee and PGMOL head Keith Hackett, who exclusively shared his thoughts to Tottenham News.
Tottenham sacked Frank on the back of losing 2-1 at home to Newcastle United on Tuesday, with Marco Rose now emerging as the favourite to take charge of Spurs.
Prior to that, Spurs were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in a game in which captain Cristian Romero was sent off.
That decision split opinion, with some believing it was a harsh call and others adamant it was fully deserving of a red.
But some unpunished challenges that have followed in the days since have certainly raised plenty of eyebrows.
Keith Hackett: Spurs right to feel aggrieved by unpunished incidents elsewhere
One such high-profile example was Phil Foden catching Calvin Bassey rightly on the Achilles heel in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.
Brian Brobbey was late on Martin Zubimendi in Arsenal’s win over Sunderland, meanwhile, and Matheus Fernandes was also on the end of a bad challenge from Kobbie Mainoo in West Ham versus Manchester United.
These three separate incidents were put to Hackett, who agreed Spurs should seek clarification from PGMOL as to why Romero was sent off and the others were not.
When asked if Frank’s sacking would change their stance at all, Hackett replied: “The club secretary is usually the person that submits the various pieces of correspondence to the authorities, not the manager.
“The manager, prior to his dismissal, may have expressed his views to the Premier League Match Delegate.
“If that was the case, I suspect that if any correspondence lands in the appropriate in-tray it will be dealt with privately and not in the public domain.”
Where do Tottenham rank among most Premier League red cards this season?
Tottenham undoubtedly had a disciplinary issue under Frank’s tenure.
Taking ‘disciplinary points’ into account, nobody has more than Spurs this season, with Chelsea level.
In terms of red cards, Spurs have accrued three so far this campaign – level with West Ham and behind only Everton (four) and Chelsea (five).
Romero is responsible for two of those, while Xavi Simons picked up the other.
That certainly did not help Frank, but nor did some questionable refereeing decisions, which Tottenham should certainly be seeking clarity over even if the Dane has now gone.
For more on the latest regarding Thomas Frank, head over to Football Insider.