Cristian Romero hit with FA charge after Tottenham captain sent off against Liverpool

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·24 de diciembre de 2025

Cristian Romero hit with FA charge after Tottenham captain sent off against Liverpool

Spurs skipper already banned for final game of 2025 against Crystal Palace

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has been hit with a Football Association (FA) charge following his sending off against Liverpool.

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The Argentine centre-back was shown two yellow cards during last weekend’s eventful 2-1 home defeat in the Premier League, one for dissent after Hugo Ekitike’s goal and another in stoppage time for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate as Spurs chased a last-gasp equaliser.

Romero protested angrily to referee John Brooks before belatedly heading down the tunnel, with Tottenham playing the final minutes against Liverpool with nine men following Xavi Simons’ first-half yellow for a foul on compatriot Virgil van Dijk that was upgraded to red after a VAR review.

The Spurs skipper has now been charged by the FA after it was alleged that he “acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off”.

Romero has until January 2 to respond to the charge. If the charge is proven, it remains to be seen if Romero will face an extended suspension or a fine.

He is already banned for Tottenham’s last fixture of 2025 away at London rivals Crystal Palace on December 28, though as it stands will be back in contention for their opening game of 2026 at Brentford on New Year’s Day.

Spurs host Sunderland on January 4 before heading to Bournemouth three days later.

Romero’s latest loss of discipline - when dominant Spurs were pursuing an equaliser against Liverpool - has led to strong criticism from fans and pundits alike amid questions over his suitability as Tottenham captain, with a record of three dismissals second only to Younes Kaboul in the Premier League era for the club.

He had already picked up seven yellow cards in the league for Spurs this season heading into the game against Liverpool and was suspended for last month’s home defeat by Fulham after collecting a fifth caution of the campaign in the 4-1 drubbing by north London rivals Arsenal.

However, Thomas Frank defended his “passionate” player and said he would never have been sent off if Brooks had made the correct call with Liverpool’s second goal, when Romero felt he was pushed by Ekitike.

“There is a massive mistake by John on the pitch. Two hands on the back by Ekitike,” said the Tottenham boss.

“I don't understand how he didn't see it. OK. Luckily we have VAR so they will bail you out when you need it, which they didn't. That was the second mistake.

“I think if you go back to that [second Liverpool goal] and the referee did his job, then I think it would not have been a first yellow [for Romero]. Is that fair to say?

“I have a player that is extremely passionate, and if you have a passionate player then you need to go to the line sometimes.”