PA Images/Alamy Images

'Disgraceful': Roy Keane criticises Spurs for nitpicking competitions

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Siddharth Juyal | Last updated May 17, 2025 2:47 PM ET

Roy Keane criticised Tottenham Hotspur for using the Europa League as a mitigating factor for their terrible Premier League campaign. The Lilywhites are currently 17^th in the Premier League, recently losing 2-0 to Aston Villa after playing their secondary team.

Spurs have endured a tumultuous campaign under Ange Postecoglou, navigating through several injuries and poor individual performances throughout this season. Postecoglou also failed to solve their defensive fragilities that haunted the Lilywhites last season, as he used an attacking approach.

Tottenham have lost 21 games in the Premier League so far, which is unbecoming for a club of their stature. The Lilywhites have lost four out of their last five Premier League game, focusing more on their Europa League campaign.

Spurs played Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semifinals and Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarterfinals to reach the final this season. They will play Premier League rivals Manchester United in the Europa League final on the 22 ^nd of May. The Red Devils have endured a similar season to the Lilywhites, currently 16^th in the league table with 18 losses.

Speaking to Sky Sports (via Daily Mail), Keane criticised Tottenham for using the Europa League as a mitigating factor amid their struggle in the Premier League this campaign. He said:

“The way United and Spurs have handled their league campaigns and European football has been nothing but a disgrace. The lack of effort in some games, they have not put up enough fight. It’s not like it’s in the Champions League, it’s not demanding in that way, they have played lesser opposition.”

Keane has a strong point as one of the top Premier League clubs; Tottenham cannot use the Europa League as an excuse to compensate for their poor domestic form. Spurs fans are also well aware of the situation, but the potential Europa League success is crucial for the club.

The chance to qualify for the next season’s Champions League and end the long-awaited trophy drought means a lot. Spurs could also outdo Arsenal with a silverware as their bitter rivals are finishing another season without a trophy.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: