Former Tottenham chairman Lord Alan Sugar has put blame on the officials after Liverpool won the Champions League on Saturday.
The controversy came in the first minute as a penalty was awarded to Liverpool after a handball by Moussa Sissoko which was not followed up on by VAR. The game was sealed in the final five minutes as Divock Origi hit a low drive across Hugo Lloris to break Spurs hearts.
After the game, the decision to not review the penalty decision combined with Liverpool’s tactics really seemed to hit a nerve with Sugar. Writing on his personal twitter account: “Pundits say it was not a penalty. I wonder why ref did not use VAR to check. Liverpool spent next 85 mins slowing the game down.”
Back home 2.30 am . Reflecting on what could happened with Spurs v Liverpool. Pundits say it was not a penalty. I wonder why ref did not use VAR to check. Liverpool spent next 85 mins slowing the game down. Slow walking to take corners. Spurs didnt turn up for the first 75 mins
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) June 2, 2019
The former Spurs chairman also begrudged the performance of his former club in the first three-quarters of the game but it was Liverpool who claimed their sixth European success.
OPINION
The decision to award the penalty scratched many heads as it did seem harsh at first glance. Such a big moment 25 seconds into any game where VAR is available should be checked, especially with the uncertainty in the decision. Sissoko was clearly pointing to his defenders to pick up their men and the ball then hit his arm. It could be classed as ball to hand but the reality of the decision is that his arm was high. The game changed from that point for both sides with Liverpool seeming to avert from there usual possession based football which allowed Spurs to dominate the ball which lead to them creating more chances which they failed to convert. In a final of this magnitude, Spurs had more than enough of the ball to win this game with ease and their decisions in front of goal ultimately led to Pochettino’s downfall. Sugar and all Spurs fans will always look at this one with big regrets in the fact that their side should have got a-lot more from what they put in to the game in Madrid, but if don’t finish your chances, you end up getting what you deserve and that was defeat.