Spurs Lodge Formal Complaint Over Bogle Tackle as Experts Back Red Card Claim

Monday 9 November 2026 · 13:02 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have made their frustration official, formally complaining after Jayden Bogle avoided a red card for a reckless challenge on Mathys Tel during the 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

Spurs Web reports that the club are unhappy VAR did not intervene to send referee John Brooks to the monitor for Bogle's tackle on Tel in the first half, with Spurs feeling the Leeds full-back's challenge warranted a sending-off (Spurs Web). The Evening Standard adds that Tottenham "can feel hard done by" given the tackle actually injured Tel, with Bogle lunging in on the Frenchman during the match (Evening Standard).

Football.London reports that Tottenham have since received a "unanimous red card verdict" in the aftermath of the loss, following their formal complaint over referee Jarred Gillett's failure to dismiss Bogle (Football.London). That verdict appears to be supported by expert opinion, as Spurs Web says two former Premier League officials, including Mike Dean, have given their view on whether VAR should have told John Brooks to review the challenge (Spurs Web). Football.London confirms Dean has spoken out on the matter, backing up the view that Tottenham were wronged by the officials' decision not to act (Football.London).

All five reports are consistent in outlining the sequence of events: Bogle's challenge on Tel went unpunished on the pitch, Tottenham lost the match 1-0, and the club pursued a formal complaint that has since been validated by outside scrutiny of the incident. The main value added by Mike Dean's intervention, as covered by both Spurs Web and Football.London, is the sense that neutral, experienced officiating voices agree with Tottenham's grievance rather than it being mere sour grapes after a defeat.

For Spurs supporters, this will sting given the result went against them at Elland Road, and the news that the red card call has been backed almost universally in hindsight will only add to the sense that Saturday's defeat was shaped by a key officiating error at a crucial stage of the game.

Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.