Ex-Premier League referee questions why Harry Kane didn’t get a red card for the tackle on Andy Robertson

Over the weekend, Tottenham Hotspur returned to the pitch for their matchup against Liverpool. After a coronavirus outbreak, the north London club postponed their last three matches, including forfeiting their UEFA Conference League match against Stade Rennais. 

During the match, though, there was some controversy. Harry Kane received a yellow card for his tackle on Andy Robertson at the 20th-minute mark. However, there was an outcry for the Spurs captain to be handed a red card. 

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live (via Mirror), where he stated that the Liverpool defender is lucky to be walking following the tackle by Kane. 

“I think Kane’s tackle’s worse than Robertson’s,” Clattenburg said. “To hear that Robertson has to have his leg planted alarms me because if he does that he’s not walking this Christmas. If you don’t believe this is a clear and obvious error about Kane, you’re not doing your job correctly.

“I think we, as referees, are sometimes guilty of knowing the laws of the game, but we don’t understand the game. VAR cannot get this wrong. Referees can because they have a split second. VAR have all the angles; he’s got all the slow-motion, he can see the point of contact.”

Furthermore, Clattenburg stated that the Premier League should release the audio to VAR decisions considering it provides the public with the reason for their decision and limits speculation as to why the referee made the call. 

“In Greece, we release the audio of VAR decisions,” Clattenburg said. “People appreciate it. They might not always agree with it, but they appreciate it. I think that should happen. We should be able to listen to the audio. We might not agree with it, but at least then we would understand.”

Following the match, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp stated that Kane should’ve received a red card for his challenge on Robertson. 

“Yes, definitely,” Klopp said. “You can give Robbo a red card. It is not the smartest challenge, but that is definitely a red card. No doubt about it. His leg was in the air; it was pure coincidence. Harry cannot judge it. If Robbo’s leg is on the ground, it is a broken leg.”