Former Spurs stars bemoan penalty controversy in North London derby draw with Arsenal

Former Tottenham Hotspur stars Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand questioned a penalty decision that went against their old club in Sunday’s North London derby draw with Arsenal.

The two sides were level at half-time at the Emirates Stadium after an unfortunate own goal from Spurs defender Cristian Romero was cancelled out by a Heung-Min Son strike just three minutes before half-time.

But there would be a real moment of controversy eight minutes after the restart when Argentina international Romero was penalised for handling a goalbound shot from Arsenal defender Ben White.

On-field referee Robert Jones was instructed to reconsider his decision to not punish Romero by VAR official Paul Tierney and a penalty was awarded after several views of the incident. Bukayo Saka stepped up to score from the spot but Spurs reacted well and secured a point thanks to a quickfire equaliser from Son.

Former Spurs and Newcastle United striker Ferdinand questioned whether Romero could have done anything to get out of the way of the shot - but did concede that the current laws mean a penalty was inevitable.

He told Sky Sports: “Do I have any complaints? Not with the way the rules are now.

“I think he can do anything, has he put his hand to the ball or has the ball gone to his hand? You can argue.

“But with the way the situation is now, they looked at it several times, but I think all of a sudden they realised that was going to be a penalty.”

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Redknapp also felt the decision was harsh on his old club and insisted Romero was in ‘too close quarters’ to be punished for the penalty.

“I don’t really like it because, as you say, it’s more ball to hand,” explained the former England midfielder.

“In the current climate, they are going to get given, but I don’t like this rule. I think it’s too close quarters.”

Spurs are back in Premier League action next Saturday evening when they host Liverpool.