Tottenham hit with huge Mathys Tel injury blow as Leeds 'escape red card'

Tottenham will be sweating over the fitness of Mathys Tel during the international break after the forward was forced off against Leeds on Saturday.

Tel was sent sprawling to the floor after being caught from behind by Leeds’ Jayden Bogle.

Replies showed that Bogle had caught Tel’s Achilles, and VAR spent well over four minutes debating a possible red card. In the end, they decided against a sending-off and Bogle escaped without a card being shown.

A statement from the Premier League read: “The referee’s call of no red card to Bogle for the challenge on Tel was checked and confirmed by VAR.

“VAR: ‘I'm confirming the on-field decision of no red card. There’s a lack of speed going into the challenge and he’s stepping into the tackle. Confirming a reckless challenge’.”

"No sense at all," said lead commentator Darren Fletcher on TNT Sports.

"If you are a referee, you have to at least see the yellow card challenge [on the monitor] if [VAR] don't think it's a red."

Steven Gerrard, on co-commentary, added: "We don't like to see anyone get sent off .... but he's got away with one there."

"They've said no red card, this will create debate," former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown said on BBC 5 Live.

"The stud goes into the back of his Achilles, but the one thing I'll say in his defence, his right foot comes round to win the ball but his left foot just plants down.

"I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but it's still a nasty one. The ref should still go and see it on the monitor."