The fallout from Saturday’s derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea has now drawn the attention of the Football Association.
The match was already intense on the pitch. However, it has sparked disciplinary discussions off the field.
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes both sides will be punished for failing to control their players.
Moreover, with new footage emerging of player confrontations, the FA are expected to act swiftly.
During the first half, Rodrigo Bentancur lunged into a heavy challenge on Reece James, leaving the Chelsea defender in excruciating pain.
Therefore, tempers flared almost instantly and several players rushed in, as the situation spiralled into a chaotic confrontation.
Furthermore, the referee Jarred Gillett decided against showing a red card, a decision that left both sets of fans divided. Hackett told Football Insider:
“They will be charged with failing to control their players. Jarred Gillett had a good game overall. He didn’t get too involved, and he let the game breathe.
“But from my view, it’s a red card, and you can see from the players’ reactions—they don’t want to be on the receiving end of these challenges.”
Also, the former referee criticised the current officiating body. Hackett suggested that the game’s authorities must ensure consistency when player safety is at stake.
Beyond the foul, tempers refused to cool. Djed Spence stormed straight down the tunnel after the defeat, visibly frustrated by his team’s performance.
The incident only deepened concerns about player discipline as emotions ran high throughout the match.
Moreover, Arsenal recently faced similar punishment for failing to control their players, setting a clear precedent for what could come next.
Thus, both Tottenham and Chelsea are braced for FA charges following one of the most heated derbies of the season.
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