James Maddison slams referees and VAR for having ‘absolute shocker of a start to the season’ after a goal was ruled out this weekend.
The injured Tottenham player took to Twitter to vent his frustration after a disallowed goal for Spurs, before they went on to win 3-0 at West Ham.
Cristian Romero’s goal was ruled out due to a foul on Kyle Walker-Peters by Micky van de Ven, with replays showing West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen pushing Mateus Fernandes into the back of Van de Ven, who was then forced into Walker-Peters.
Christian Romero has his goal ruled out for a foul after being judged to have pushed Walker-Peters out of the way in the build-up ❌ pic.twitter.com/SE97wE8Vod
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2025
Despite the controversy, goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Van de Ven secured the victory for Tottenham.
VAR John Brooks checked the incident then upheld Gillett’s decision.
The Premier League Match Centre said: “The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Van de Ven pushed Walker-Peters in the back and impacted his ability to play the ball.”
James Maddison wrote: “Honestly the referees & VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season. If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without referee blowing for something ever again 🫣🤷🏻♂️”
Asked after the game for this thoughts on the decision, Spurs boss Thomas Frank said: “I think the disallowed goal is for me clearly a goal. When I look back it’s Mads Hermansen who pushed Micky into Kyle Walker-Peters and we talk about higher thresholds. For me it’s a clear goal.
“If you see the United goal against Fulham a few weeks ago where there were two hands in the back, it was given. I’ve heard afterwards it was a mistake, but no matter what, for higher thresholds this is clearly a goal that needs to stand.”
Honestly the referees & VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season. If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without referee blowing for something ever again🫣🤷🏻♂️
— James Maddison (@Madders10) September 13, 2025
Pundit Ashley Williams agreed with Maddison, saying Romero’s goal should have stood: “West Ham’s goalkeeper pushes his own player into Micky Van der Ven, who then collides with Kyle Walker-Peters but the Tottenham player didn’t initiate that contact. We’ve watched it back numerous times and you can see he doesn’t push Walker-Peters over.
“The referee’s given the decision on the field and because of that, VAR is reluctant to intervene but that’s what they’re there for. We’d like to see more goals given and it’s the wrong decision, which is frustrating.”
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Overall, it was a good performance. Besides two situations in the first half, we didn’t give much away. We had some good crosses into the box, dominated and kept West Ham hemmed in.
“We scored a brilliant goal from a corner. The red card helps, of course, but I felt we were dominant in the game.
“We want to perform and win every game. We can’t look too far ahead, but need to have that little think about it. We’ve been travelling a lot and all the players have done well.
“We need to do well in the Premier League and see if we can compete in all tournaments. I’m happy with the win, now it’s all about the game on Tuesday [in the Champions League].”
On the red card: “I think it was the right decision. Soucek is a very honest player, a player I respect a lot. I don’t think it was the intention [to hurt the opponent], but it was a red card.”
On Spurs’ second goal: “It was a fantastic pass [from Romero]. He practised that a little bit with Lucas [Bergvall] in training.”
On Xavi Simons: “I thought he was really good, really promising. There’s more to come. Excellent ball for the goal. He created something when he was on the ball. Randal [Kolo Muani] will get his time, he’s just a little behind in terms of fitness.”
Frank, speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a clear, deserved win. I think the first 20 minutes were more even. West Ham had a few crosses flashed across the box, but after that we dominated clearly.
“I’m happy that we continued that in the second half. We scored a great first goal and an even better second goal.
“We’re focusing on set pieces. It’s an important area to be good at. You need to be important in all areas and today we thought we had a chance there.”
“I felt we were brave and wanted to get on the ball. I thought we were aggressive too. That’s the foundation to try and win a football match.”
On Lucas Bergvall: “He was really impressive. I’m so happy for him. His work rate, his energy, his enthusiasm – and then he scored a fantastic goal.”
“I don’t see it!”
“There’s not enough for a foul!”Jamie Redknapp and Gianfranco Zola don’t think there was enough evidence to disallow Spurs an opener against West Ham. pic.twitter.com/hhTRTFQnff
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2025
Breaks my heart. It was never meant to be like this. 💔#COYI #WHUTOT ⚒⚒ pic.twitter.com/A0XdG5Zkn2
— Paul Everett (@PaulEverett75) September 13, 2025
West Ham manager Graham Potter, speaking to Sky Sports: “The scoreline is a difficult one for us. The second half went away quickly – I thought the first half was good. We showed attacking intent and there were positives. We made a mistake early in the second half and the game gets away from us after the red card.
“We’ve played two games at home against teams in the Champions League but the team is coming together and we need to be patient, focus on the positives and move forward.
“It was difficult for the players, we’re at home, we’ve got our pride and don’t want to make it worse. You’re stuck between going after them and not getting opened up. I felt for the players.
“We defended about nine or 10 set-pieces before the goal but one mistake and we were punished. The red card makes it more difficult but the game at this level is about margins. We had a chance with Lucas [Paqueta] earlier and if that goes in then maybe it changes the game.
“If you look over the game it was relatively tight in terms of chances and shots but one slight mistake and they execute the set-piece well and then we’re down to 10-men and it all changes.”
On reaction from fans: “I understand because the scoreline is the scoreline and I understand why people are upset. We are a new team and we have to stick together and focus on the things we’ve done well and see where we can improve.”
Potter, speaking to BBC MOTD: “The first half was a positive performance for us. We connected well as a team and attacked well.
“We were incredibly committed and together as a team so it was disappointing the second half panned out the way it did. We had the red card after conceding and were quickly 2-0 down and it got away from us.
“We made a mistake for the first goal and they executed it well – we should do better. We had a good reaction, Jarrod [Bowen] had a shot but it became uncomfortable after the red card.”
On the sending off: “I don’t think there was intent from Tomas [Soucek] and there wasn’t a lot of speed in it but when you go with your studs raised you’ve got a problem.”
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports: “We did OK in the first half, had some good crosses into the box and defended set-pieces well – we knew Thomas Frank at Brentford was good at those.
“We need to look at the fine details ourselves and take pride.
“We had a red card and then it’s a totally different game.
“Against a side like this, who are in the Champions League, you have to defend well in open play but we switched off for a second from a set-piece,. That’s where it goes down to the finer details.
“It’s difficult then [after second goal] we are deflated and things change. We needed to dig in and roll our sleeves up – there is nothing else you can do.”
On fans walking out early: “The fans were disappointed as we all were. We were on a high after the last win but you can come down quickly. It’s important to enjoy the wins together and when you lose you have to accept it – we can’t change it now. The fans are disappointed, I’m disappointed but we can’t change it.
“I’ve been here nearly six years now and been through a lot of highs and lows. I’ve experienced both of those and you just have to ride the storm.”
Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons, speaking to Sky Sports: “I’m really happy with the win, and making my debut in the Premier League is such a special moment. It’s always been a dream of mine to play on the biggest stage in the best league in the world. I’m with a magnificent team.
“Even teams who are struggling in the table have top players. Even [West Ham] today have top players. I’m trying to adapt as quickly as possible.
“Some of the guys have been with the national team. We’ve tried to talk a lot on the pitch. The games are coming so we have to adapt quickly to certain situations. In three days we have another game [in the Champions League].”
On his best position: “I’ve played my whole life in the number 10 position, but in the last two years I’ve developed on the left side. I want to help the team with goals and assists.”
On Spurs’ first goal: “We know set-pieces were so important. I found Pape [Sarr from the corner] and it was a nice goal.”
Tottenham goalscorer Lucas Bergvall, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It was unbelievable. We bounced back from the last game [at home to Bournemouth]. Everybody’s happy.
“We had a few chances in the first half, but the second half was a lot better. We scored three goals and they got a red card.”
On his goal: “It was an unbelievable ball. I saw the goalkeeper coming out so I just tried to head it over him.”
On working with Thomas Frank: “It’s been really good. We’re just trying to be better every day, training hard and [trying to] develop.”
Here’s how fans reacted as the James Maddison slams referees and VAR for having an ‘absolute shocker of a start to the season’…
@nffc_dyl: But but forest were embarrassing for posting about the referee nearly getting us relegated btw 💔 #NFFC
@carl_lewis_91: Pathetic, no consistency. United vs Fulham a prime example, and that was given. Worst officiated league in the world
@KyronWhu: I’d me fuming if that’s the other way around 🤣
@CryingSon: Madness, games gone
@richgang_tv: Finally players speaking out
@stevespursN4: Two appalling decisions. Scrap VAR now. It’s pointless and ruining football.
@ManOnTheMic60: I was pro VAR. But more and more you realise they are run , for the most part, by people who don’t understand the game. Pity. Surely a simple solution in the box, is to say that arms have to be down by your side? Or is that me being too simplistic?
@StuEvansMusic: And on the next corner, VDV was wrestled to the ground, with the WHU player looking in the opposite direction of play, and nothing was given at all! Absolute nonsense.
@Hurley_5: Who ever is in that VAR room shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a game of football again
@JPMelly1: The replay clearly shows what actually happens – The West Ham keeper pushes van de Ven (pen kick to the attacking team) who, while off balance from the push briefly puts his hand on the defender to regain his balance, the defender screams and falls over claiming a foul. 👀👍
@samevans1506: It’s never a foul on a million years. Keeper pushed VDV into Walker Peters who wasn’t strong enough to stay on his feet. Games gone
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