2026-05-13 10:44:50
James Maddison feels that referees are “petrified” to make decisions because of VAR.
The Tottenham playmaker was denied a penalty in the closing seconds of his team’s 1-1 draw with Leeds on Monday (11.05.26), despite going down under a challenge from Lukas Nmecha, and took to social media to bemoan referee Jarred Gillett’s decision not to award a spot-kick.
Maddison wrote on his Instagram account: “For clarity… The small, tiny touch on the ball to change direction came from the outside of my right foot, not Nmecha, and I told the ref that.
“But the check was over in about 20 seconds. Officials are petrified to make decisions on pitch now because of VAR.
“We keep fighting. COYS.”
Maddison came on as a late substitute in the Premier League clash and was delighted to be back on the field for the first time in nine months after rupturing his ACL during pre-season last summer.
The midfielder said: “After the longest, toughest 12 months of my life, the reception you Spurs fans gave me yesterday made all the sacrifice and dark days absolutely worth it. Thank you so much. Back where I belong.”
Maddison’s return comes as Tottenham are fighting to survive relegation from the Premier League and the playmaker explained that he is getting “straight down to business” in a bid to help Spurs beat the drop.
He said: “It’s been a tough season for Tottenham. Really tough for the fans, really tough for the players. Lots of manager changes. It’s been a season to forget really. Not being able to affect it and help the club has been difficult.
“Once I was out there and the first 30 seconds to a minute had gone by, it was like, ‘Now I’m on the pitch we need to get a winner here.’ The nice moment had gone.
“It was almost straight down to business. I would rather be safe and come on and enjoy and build up slowly, but that’s not the situation we are in.”
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