Ian Wright accuses player of cheating in Tottenham vs Liverpool as retrospective action called for
Djed Spence found himself at the centre of controversy as Tottenham Hotspur slipped to a 2-1 Premier League defeat against Liverpool on Saturday, with the defender coming under heavy criticism for an apparent dive late in the first half.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool arrived in north London and quickly took control of proceedings, racing into a commanding two-goal lead that allowed them to manage the game with confidence. Spurs struggled to gain momentum, and frustration began to creep into their performance as the first half drew to a close.
One flashpoint arrived just before the interval when Spence and Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley became entangled inside the penalty area. As the Spurs defender went to ground, a loud appeal for a penalty echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the referee remained unmoved. Replays soon suggested that Spence may have exaggerated the contact, leading to accusations of simulation and sparking debate among pundits and supporters alike.
The incident has since reignited discussions about whether football’s governing bodies should take a firmer stance on retrospective punishment for diving. With VAR unable to intervene unless there is a clear and obvious error, moments like this often go unpunished during matches, raising questions about whether post-match sanctions could act as a stronger deterrent.
Former Arsenal striker and Premier League pundit Ian Wright was particularly critical of Spence, insisting the defender knew exactly what he was doing. Speaking on Premier League Productions on 20 December, Wright broke down the incident and left little room for doubt in his assessment.
“You can see the other player behind him,” Wright explained. “He’s got no chance of getting that ball on the other side. So he’s just knocked it inside and just wanted contact and got it. It’s a blatant dive for me.”
According to Wright, Spence had already run himself into trouble during a solo burst forward and, once crowded out by Liverpool’s defence, chose to look for contact rather than attempt to keep possession or recycle the ball.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett also weighed in on the debate, admitting that such incidents have become commonplace in the modern game. Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Hackett suggested that the issue will persist unless officials are empowered — and encouraged — to act more decisively.
“Sadly, going to ground to deceive the referee by an act of simulation is a regular occurrence in the modern game,” Hackett said. “It will continue if referees fail to sanction. I do believe that the authorities need to consider retrospective punishment for acts of simulation.”
For Spence, the moment was a blemish on what has otherwise been a positive run of form. The defender has impressed in recent weeks with his energy and attacking intent, making this incident all the more disappointing. It is certainly not something he will want replayed as Tottenham’s difficult season continues.
The defeat to Liverpool has only intensified scrutiny on Thomas Frank, with pressure mounting on the Danish manager as Spurs languish in the bottom half of the Premier League table after 17 matches. Despite an encouraging start to the campaign, Tottenham have looked increasingly fragile, particularly in key moments, and Frank’s pragmatic approach in certain fixtures has left sections of the fanbase frustrated.
Results have done little to ease those concerns, with Spurs managing just one win in their last eight league outings. As a result, conversations among supporters about a potential managerial change have grown louder, adding to the tension around N17.
To make matters worse, Frank will have been furious to see discipline issues resurface against Liverpool, with Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero both shown red cards. With pressure building from all sides, incidents like Spence’s controversial dive and the costly dismissals only underline the sense of instability currently surrounding Tottenham Hotspur.