The Premier League has confirmed that no penalty was awarded to Tottenham Hotspur for James Maddison’s stoppage‑time fall, stating that Leeds United forward Lukas Nmecha played the ball.
Making his return from a serious knee injury sustained in pre‑season, Maddison went down under Nmecha’s challenge in the 13th minute of added time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night. With the score 1‑1, referee Jarred Gillett waved away the appeals and, after a review by VAR official Craig Pawson, the on‑field decision was upheld.
The Premier League’s Match Centre issued a statement on social media explaining the outcome. “The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Nmecha played the ball,” it read. Sky Sports co‑commentator Alan Smith echoed that assessment, observing that Nmecha “might get the slightest touch on the ball.”
Nmecha, a 26‑year‑old German forward who joined Leeds on a free transfer in July 2025, is primarily a centre‑forward but can also operate as a winger. He has been a key figure for Leeds this season, recording six goals and one assist in the Premier League. His touch on the ball was judged sufficient to negate any foul on Maddison, who was making his first appearance since undergoing ACL surgery and was greeted with applause from the home supporters.
VAR review
The match also featured another significant intervention by VAR. Midway through the second half, Gillett initially dismissed Leeds’ penalty claims after Mathys Tel’s boot caught Ethan Ampadu in the head. However, following a pitch‑side monitor review, Gillett reversed his decision and awarded a spot‑kick, which Dominic Calvert‑Lewin converted to earn the visitors a point. Tel had opened the scoring for Tottenham earlier in the game.
De Zerbi’s comments
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi was critical of the officiating after the final whistle. “The first minute until the end of the game the referee went to me, ‘if you go out, yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today,” De Zerbi said. “Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham‑Arsenal game and VAR. For sure, we suffered the pressure today for the speed of the ball, for the order on the pitch and we didn’t play with patience. Frenetic and we were rushed, but also the referee was not calm. I don’t know, I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR because it was a foul, 200 per cent, not 100 per cent, if you want to talk about football.”
The reference to the previous day’s controversy concerned West Ham’s disallowed equaliser against Arsenal, a decision that had sparked widespread debate. De Zerbi also spoke about Tel, describing him as a “talent” and promising to support him after the costly mistake that led to Leeds’ penalty.
The draw leaves Tottenham in 17th place, just two points above the relegation zone with two games remaining. Their home form has been particularly poor, with only two wins, five draws and ten defeats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season. Leeds, meanwhile, sit 16th with 43 points and had already secured survival before this fixture. The result meant Tottenham failed to capitalise on West Ham’s loss to Arsenal, deepening the uncertainty surrounding their top‑flight future.
The 2023‑24 Premier League campaign has been marked by a series of controversial refereeing decisions and intense scrutiny of VAR. Several clubs – including Wolves, Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest – have publicly criticised officiating standards and the implementation of the technology, a context that loomed large over Monday night’s flashpoints.
