Mark Halsey drops new Micky van de Ven verdict after Alexander Isak leg-break development
Micky van de Ven has faced scrutiny after going unpunished for breaking Alexander Isak’s leg.
Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday has left them 13th in the table, and supporters have turned on Thomas Frank as performances aren’t showing any signs of improving.
The game itself was chaotic, with goals from Isak and Hugo Ekitike giving the Reds a 2-0 lead before Richarlison scored a consolation goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were both sent off, and the bad-tempered affair summed up the fans’ mood in N17.
It was confirmed on Monday that Isak had suffered a broken leg after Van de Ven attempted to block his goal-bound shot.
However, former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes that referee John Brooks made the right decision not to show him a red card.
Micky van de Ven unfortunate to break Alexander Isak’s leg
Thankfully for Tottenham, Brooks didn’t award Van de Ven another red card during a game in which several other players lost their heads.
Speaking to The Sun Football on 24 December, Halsey backed the on-field decision.
He said: “He’s got to make that challenge, he has to make that block. It’s just an unfortunate coming together, and it’s not serious foul play.
“It is subjective whether it’s careless or reckless, and it’s just unfortunate that Isak was then diagnosed with a broken leg. I agree with Frank, it’s not a red card.”
Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes Van de Ven should have been dismissed, and he isn’t the only one to think so.
Frank slammed Brooks for how he officiated the match, which led to Liverpool boss Arne Slot retaliating by bringing up Van de Ven’s challenge.
With Romero now suspended for the trip to Crystal Palace on 28 December, Frank will be grateful that he can count on his Dutch centre-back at Selhurst Park.
Isak is now injured for the next few months, and while Van de Ven had no intention of breaking his leg, it does highlight a wider problem at Spurs.
- Read more: Thomas Frank reveals behind-the-scenes talks with Cristian Romero after Tottenham incident
Tottenham’s players continue to behave appallingly
Romero and Richarlison are the main culprits, but Tottenham have a problem when it comes to their discipline as a whole.
The Argentina international was sent off for kicking out at Konate, while Richarlison gets into an argument virtually every time he steps on the pitch.
With their home form at an all-time low, it is understandable to see some players getting frustrated.
However, it has proved too costly in recent seasons, and when it’s the same players that continue to misbehave, it says a lot about them.
Spurs need to get rid of these liabilities, or they’ll never progress as a team under Frank.
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