Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Tottenham penalty controversy vs Leeds after reviewing footage

Keith Hackett has confirmed that the officials were right not to give Tottenham Hotspur a late penalty in their 1-1 draw against Leeds United.

With tensions high at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs were pushing for a very late winner.

The club is still embroiled in a relegation battle with West Ham going into the final matches of the season.

While the winner never came, Spurs were adamant that they should have had a late penalty when James Maddison went down in the box.

However, Jarred Gillett disagreed, with VAR late confirming his decision in what was a chaotic Spurs match.

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In the dying minutes of added time, Maddison looked to skip past Lukas Nmecha inside Leeds’ box.

However, under challenge, the Spurs attacker fell to the floor, with his teammates quickly surrounding the referee calling for a penalty.

However, he disagreed, and VAR were quick to confirm his decision, with Nmecha seemingly getting a slight touch on the ball during the challenge.

Upon reviewing the footage, Hackett has insisted that the officials have come to the right decision, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the challenge was not worthy of a spot kick.

He said: “Looking closely at replays, the defender has played the ball. The attacker not in possession has gone to ground too easily.

“Match officials got this one right.”

Hackett has previously told Football Insider that Tottenham have been unlucky not to be awarded a penalty this season.

Games such as their defeat to West Ham in January should have seen spot kicks potentially awarded.

Two potential penalties were waved away by the officials and VAR, despite the technology reviewing both incidents.

These decisions could still help contribute to Tottenham’s relegation this season if West Ham are able to overtake them in the final two games of the campaign.

Spurs are one of two sides not to be awarded a penalty this season, with the other being Aston Villa.

It remains to be seen if they are able to break this streak in the final matches of the campaign as they look to confirm their place in the Premier League for the 2026-27 season.

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