Ex-PL ref calls for UEFA action after 'disgraceful' incident in Tottenham defeat vs Atletico Madrid

Keith Hackett wants to see UEFA take retrospective action after Julian Alvarez was guilty of simulation against Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs fell to a heavy 5-2 defeat away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, with most of the focus on the nightmare competition debut of Antonin Kinsky.

However, plenty of attention was reserved for Alvarez and his antics against Igor Tudor’s side, after he won the foul that led to Atletico’s fourth goal of the night.

Replays showed that it was a clear and quite pathetic dive from the Argentine, though the referee bought it and awarded the free kick.

While Tottenham’s defeat to Atletico cannot be put down to that one incident, it has again raised debate over the integrity of the game.

‘UEFA must take action, it’s tarnishing our game’

Tottenham were dreadful against Diego Simeone’s side, and the defeat was very much their own doing.

However, the fourth goal should never have happened, after Alvarez threw himself to the ground under no challenge from a Spurs player, with the resulting free kick ending in Robin Le Normand getting on the score sheet.

Upon reviewing the footage, Hackett was bemused that the officials were deceived by a clear act of simulation, and wants to see changes made to ensure that retrospective action can be taken in incidents like this.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, the ex-PGMOL chief said: “The action by Alvarez is frankly disgraceful. I would expect a UEFA referee to detect this and punish with a yellow card.

“I call upon UEFA to take retrospective action when players openly ‘cheat’ and tarnish the image of our great game.

“A free kick was wrongly awarded and resulted in a goal for Atletico. I would like to see the criteria for VAR to change to allow VAR to intervene on these types of incidents.”

Igor Tudor makes unwanted history after Atletico defeat

Despite having now suffered four defeats in a row since taking charge, Tudor is still somehow the manager of Tottenham.

He became the first manager in Spurs’ history to lose their four opening games, showcasing the struggles he has faced in England.

Tottenham have scheduled a press conference on Friday ahead of their Premier League trip to Anfield, meaning the sack isn’t forthcoming anytime soon.

However, with a defeat potentially putting Spurs into the bottom three, that stance could change in an instant.

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