SHOCK news for Spurs fans as Romero ban is confirmed, leaving Tottenham exposed for key battles
SHOCK news for Spurs fans as Romero ban is confirmed, leaving Tottenham exposed for key battles
Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero has been handed a significant four-match suspension following his dismissal in the defeat to Manchester United, dealing another damaging blow to Spurs at a critical stage of the season.
The Argentine centre-back was shown a straight red card after flying into Casemiro with a studs-up challenge during Tottenham’s 2–0 loss at Old Trafford. The incident left Spurs playing the remainder of the match with ten men and effectively ended any hopes of a comeback against Erik ten Hag’s side.
According to the Premier League Match Centre, the tackle clearly crossed the line, with officials concluding that Romero’s challenge met the criteria for serious foul play. The statement explained that the challenge was “made with excessive force and endangered an opponent,” leaving the referee with little option but to send the Tottenham skipper off.
New Spurs head coach Thomas Frank offered no defence of his captain after the match, cutting a resigned figure as he admitted the decision was unavoidable. “The red card is a red card,” Frank said bluntly, acknowledging that Romero had left both the referee and his teammates in an impossible position.
The sending-off further underlined Romero’s growing disciplinary record since joining Tottenham in 2021. He has now been dismissed four times in the Premier League alone — more than any other player in that period — while his overall red card tally for Spurs has risen to six, a worrying statistic for a player entrusted with the captain’s armband.
This latest flashpoint also came at an awkward moment for both Romero and the club. Just days earlier, the defender had publicly criticised Tottenham’s hierarchy, voicing frustration over what he felt was a lack of sufficient investment in the squad. His red card at Old Trafford only intensified the scrutiny, with many supporters questioning his leadership at a time when Spurs desperately need composure and unity.
Romero had already been sent off earlier this season, picking up a red card against Liverpool in December, meaning the automatic four-game suspension will now rule him out of several crucial fixtures. The timing could hardly be worse for Frank, who is already feeling the pressure as Tottenham continue to slide down the table.
Spurs are uncomfortably close to being dragged into a relegation scrap and will now be without one of their most influential players for a prolonged period. Romero’s absence leaves a huge hole at the heart of defence, both in terms of quality and leadership, as Tottenham face a brutal run of matches.
They host Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday in a must-win encounter, before travelling across north London to face Arsenal in the derby — a match Spurs will contest without their captain marshalling the back line. March then brings further challenges against Fulham and Crystal Palace, games that could prove pivotal in determining whether Tottenham pull clear of danger or sink deeper into trouble.
With tensions rising, results faltering, and their captain watching from the stands, the next few weeks could define Tottenham’s season — and possibly Thomas Frank’s future in the dugout.