Roberto Di Zerbi says match officials ‘were not calm’ during Tottenham’s draw against Leeds as late penalty claims were ruled out. football news

Roberto Di Zarbi says referee Jared Gillett “wasn’t calm” during Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United and match officials are feeling the pressure after West Ham’s VAR controversy.

Spurs squandered a chance to move four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Mathis Teil’s stunning opener canceled out Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty.

Leeds were awarded a penalty after VAR advised Gillett to look at the monitor as he attempted to clear the ball with an overhead kick, which caught Ethan Ampadu’s head.

After a lengthy field check, Gillett overturned his initial decision and awarded Leeds a penalty.

Spurs then had a penalty appeal of their own in the 103rd minute when James Maddison went inside the area after feeling contact from Lucas Nmecha, but VAR checked the incident and stood by Gillett’s on-field decision.

Controversy surrounding the officiating began just 24 hours after West Ham were denied their late equalizer against Arsenal after David Raya was disallowed for a foul on striker Pablo inside the area.

Asked about the decision-making from the match officials during the game, De Zarby said: “I think they weren’t calm today, maybe they were under the pressure of playing Arsenal yesterday.

“Obviously we were under pressure today. We didn’t play with passion with the ball, very frantic but the referee was not calm today.

“I don’t understand the controversy over VAR yesterday because it was 200 per cent foul, not 100 per cent, 200 per cent.”