Frank Claims “Game Is Gone” After Simons Red Card on Van Dijk

Thomas Frank had quite the interpretation of Xavi Simons’ red card for raking his studs down Virgil van Dijk‘s leg, calling it neither “reckless” nor “exceptional force.”

For the second time this season, Van Dijk was the subject of a nasty challenge which saw studs raked down his leg, first from Anthony Gordon and then from compatriot Simons.

Referee John Brooks initially showed a yellow card before VAR Stuart Attwell intervened to recommend an on-field review, which saw the caution upgraded to a straight red.

It was a reckless challenge with Simons not in contention to win the ball, and Van Dijk was fortunate he could continue playing, but Frank, somehow, did not think it was “reckless.”

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Frank said of Simons’ red card: “The first one is the first red, which I think… I’ve seen it given before, but I don’t like it.

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“I don’t like those types of red cards because I think the game is gone if that’s a red card.

“I don’t think it’s a reckless tackle. I don’t think it’s exceptional force. We have the referee call and that was a yellow, so that’s why I don’t think that’s a red.”

You expect he may have had a different view if it was the other way around and his player was on the receiving end.

It was not the only grievance the Tottenham manager had, however, with Hugo Ekitike‘s headed goal also drawing objection from Frank after he outmanoeuvred Cristian Romero.

“The players stayed in the game, defended well, kept going,” Frank added. “Then we concede the first goal, and then the second one is a big mistake.

“Two hands in the back from the striker – as far as I know, in the laws of football you are not allowed to do that.

“That’s fine to happen on the pitch, the referees are only human but then the VAR bails you out, which they didn’t do.”

Tottenham played with 10 men for more than an hour before Romero joined Simons in the dressing room after being shown his second yellow card, with Tottenham left to rue their ill discipline.