Tottenham Goal Disallowed, Maddison Criticizes VAR After West Ham Draw

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison expressed strong criticism of referees and VAR after a controversial decision disallowed a goal by Cristian Romero in their Premier League match against West Ham United. The goal was ruled out due to a foul, with VAR confirming that Micky van de Ven pushed Kyle Walker-Peters in the back, impacting his ability to play the ball. Maddison, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, called the officiating an "absolute shocker" and questioned the consistency of such decisions on corners. The disallowed goal was a pivotal moment, but Spurs went on to take the lead soon after halftime and secured a 2-0 advantage, with West Ham reduced to ten men. Analysts like Ashley Williams agreed with Maddison, suggesting the goal should have stood, highlighting controversy surrounding the call. This match also marked Tottenham's first fixture since the departure of executive chairman Daniel Levy, with head coach Thomas Frank facing a demanding schedule ahead.