Roberto De Zerbi makes VAR claim after Tottenham denied penalty amid Arsenal controversy

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Evening Standard

·12 Mei 2026

Roberto De Zerbi makes VAR claim after Tottenham denied penalty amid Arsenal controversy

Spurs missed chance to move four points clear of relegation zone

Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that the officiating during Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Leeds might have been influenced by the refereeing decisions made during Sunday’s game between West Ham and Arsenal.

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On a frustrating evening in north London, De Zerbi was an agitated presence on the touchline and picked up a booking from referee Jarred Gillett for coming out of his technical area.

De Zerbi felt that Gillett did not have control of the game and suggested in his post-match press conference that the controversial events that led to Arsenal securing a 1-0 win at the London Stadium on Sunday could have added extra pressure on the officials.

In a massive game at both ends of the table, West Ham forward Callum Wilson saw a stoppage time equaliser ruled out following a lengthy VAR review for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal’s win meant Spurs could have moved four points clear of the relegation zone with victory against Leeds, and De Zerbi admitted his side were also guilty of bowing to the pressure around the game.

“The first minute until the end of the game the referee went to me, ‘if you go out, yellow card,’ and I think they were not calm today,” De Zerbi said post-match.

"Maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday the West Ham-Arsenal game and VAR. For sure, we suffered the pressure today for the speed of the ball, for the order on the pitch and we didn’t play with patience.

"Frenetic and we were rushed, but also the referee was not calm. I don’t know, I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR because it was a foul, 200 per cent, not 100 per cent, if you want to talk about football."