Why Wes Foderingham was not given red card for handball in Tottenham vs Sheffield United
Spurs supporters were left aggrieved by a number of decision not going their way in the first half with a handball from Wes Foderingham causing controversy
Tottenham were left furious by a number of decisions from the officials in the first half of their clash against Sheffield United. James Maddison thought he should have had a penalty but those appeals were turned away, however replays showed there was clear contact made by Chris Basham.
In the final stages of the first period, Spurs and Ange Postecoglou were angered once again after Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham handled the ball outside of his penalty box under pressure from Son-Heung min. Cries for a red card were strong but Peter Bankes only showed a yellow to goalkeeper.
As a result many were left shocked at the decision especially after Nick Pope was sent for a similar action when playing for Newcastle against Liverpool. However, the difference here is that Mohamed Salah would have been clear on goal had the Pope touched not happened.
On the topic of the offence, IFAB rules state: “A direct free kick is awarded and: a yellow card is shown if a promising attack was stopped, or. a red card is shown if a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity was denied.” Foderingham not touching the ball would have left Son in possession at a tight angle and therefore it was likely deemed he had not denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Spurs had dominated the opening stages with James Maddison sending multiple shots towards goal, all of which were repelled by Foderingham. One of the main talking points of the half also involved Spurs’ new creative midfielder with his appeals for a penalty after a challenge from Basham.
The experienced defender had already been booked and had a spot-kick been awarded, it would have likely changed the whole trajectory of the game. At the other end, James McAtee had the best chance for the visitors with his close-range shot saved well by Guglielmo Vicario.
