{"id":7930,"date":"2026-05-13T17:07:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:07:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7930"},"modified":"2026-05-13T17:07:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:07:41","slug":"officials-are-petrified-james-maddison-hits-out-at-var-process-after-tottenham-penalty-claim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=7930","title":{"rendered":"‘Officials are petrified’ – James Maddison hits out at VAR process after Tottenham penalty claim"},"content":{"rendered":"


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James Maddison has now questioned the standard of Premier League officiating and VAR following the latest controversy involving Tottenham and Leeds United.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Tottenham Hotspur will not have been pleased with their 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Monday night, they certainly will have been encouraged to see James Maddison return to Premier League action.<\/p>\n

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It has been more than a year since Maddison last played a competitive game for Spurs after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season.<\/p>\n

However, when he came on for the final 20 minutes against Leeds, he looked lively, demanding possession in several areas of the pitch as his side searched for a winner.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Shaun Brooks \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

James Maddison sends VAR message after Tottenham draw<\/h2>\n

Spurs came close on several occasions against Leeds, but finding that all-important second goal proved difficult.<\/p>\n

The biggest opportunity of the night may well have come from the penalty spot after Maddison went down in the box following a quick dribble, with Nmecha involved in the challenge.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Spurs, the on-field referee waved away their appeals and, after a brief VAR review, officials ruled there had been no clear and obvious error from Jarred Gillett.<\/p>\n

A frustrated Maddison has now taken to Instagram to question both the decision and the wider use of VAR in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

Writing on his Instagram story, Maddison explained why he believed the decision should have gone Spurs\u2019 way while also criticising how quickly the check was completed.<\/p>\n

The Tottenham midfielder wrote: \u201cFor clarity\u2026 the small tiny touch on the ball to change direction came from the outside of my right foot not Nmecha and I told the ref that, but the check was over in about 20 seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficials are petrified to make decisions on pitch now because of VAR. We keep fighting. COYS.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spurs cannot afford costly mistakes at this stage of the season<\/h2>\n

Spurs are now in a very precarious position as they continue their fight against relegation this season, with just two points separating Tottenham from West Ham United with two games left to play.<\/p>\n

Any slip-up from Spurs at this stage of the campaign could prove costly, especially with the Hammers breathing down their necks.<\/p>\n

Should Tottenham go down this season, they may well look back at that decision against Leeds as one of the moments that contributed to their relegation.<\/p>\n