Thomas Frank branded the late VAR decision that nearly cost Tottenham Hotspur a point at St James’ Park an “absolute mistake”, insisting the intervention should never have overridden the on-field call.
Spurs escaped with a 2-2 draw after Cristian Romero’s acrobatic stoppage-time equaliser, but the manager’s post-match focus was fixed firmly on the 86th-minute penalty awarded to Newcastle for what appeared to be routine jostling at a corner.
The controversy unfolded when referee Thomas Bramall was summoned to the pitchside monitor after VAR identified Rodrigo Bentancur engaging in a grappling exchange with Dan Burn inside the box.
Both players fell in what looked to be a standard tussle as the corner was delivered, and with Bramall having initially waved play on, the review prompted a late penalty that Anthony Gordon converted to put Newcastle 2–1 ahead.
League officials later explained the decision by stating Bentancur “clearly does not look at the ball” while committing a “holding offence”.
Frank, however, was unmoved.
“It was an absolute mistake from the VAR,” he said. “The referee did good to do the ref call and they encourage the refereeing call on the pitch.
Anthony Gordon scored a controversial penalty for Newcastle in their Premier League draw with Tottenham
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"For me, that is never a penalty. Even speaking to some from Newcastle, they don’t think it’s a penalty and we need consistency. I think the referee’s call on the pitch, he nailed it, and VAR can only be if it’s clear and obvious.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe viewed the moment differently.
Watching the footage back post-match, he said: “The big thing is the defender isn’t looking at the ball at all, he’s looking at Dan. I think it’s probably the right call.”
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Five things to know about Tottenham boss Thomas Frank | PAYet across the football world, reaction was heavily weighted against the intervention.
Several former players argued that if this incident constituted a penalty, similar decisions would be required multiple times every weekend.
Izzy Christiansen said: “You’re giving a penalty every single game if you’re giving a penalty for that.”
Clinton Morrison added: “We've got six games tomorrow, there’ll be loads of defending like that, let’s see if VAR calls that.
"Just stay out of it because there's no pulling of the shirt or anything. He's just standing his ground and not looking at it.”
Jonathan Woodgate, who has represented both clubs, was even more blunt in his assessment of the physical contest: “Dan Burn climbed all over him. It’s like a heavyweight UFC fighter against a featherweight.”
Cristian Romero scored at the death as Tottenham scraped a draw with Newcastle
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Micah Richards echoed the sentiment that neither player had committed a meaningful infringement.
“Not looking at the ball fits the criteria but there is not enough holding there,” he argued.
“Burn is just too strong for him - Bentancur holds him for a while, but now Burn is all over Bentancur.
"The referee made a really good decision in not giving it, then going to the screen puts doubt in his mind. Holding but not sustained, it’s not enough.”
Jamie Redknapp highlighted the lack of protest from the Newcastle defender himself: “Burn isn’t even complaining. We see this week in, week out.
"If that is the threshold and penalties are going to be given, no problem, but we want consistency.”