Premier League issues statement on VAR decision during Wolves vs Tottenham

The Premier League later clarified that Marshall Munetsi did not interfere with Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the build-up to Rayan Aït-Nouri’s early opener, dismissing claims of a foul during the set-piece. Spurs, however, were left fuming after conceding so early, especially given the chaotic nature of the goal. The inswinging free-kick from the left was poorly dealt with by Vicario, whose weak clearance fell kindly to Aït-Nouri. The Algerian made no mistake, firing the ball into the ground and past the stranded Italian to register his fourth goal of the campaign.

Vicario was quick to appeal, insisting he had been impeded by Munetsi, but replays, and the league’s subsequent explanation, showed minimal contact, leading officials to uphold the goal. It was a nightmare start for Tottenham and set the tone for a shambolic defensive performance. While the decision itself may have been technically correct, it only added to the growing frustration among Spurs fans, who are watching their team crumble under pressure at a pivotal stage of the season.

Tottenham’s lazy style of play costed them the game

In a tweet from the Premier League Match Centre, officials confirmed that the decision to award Rayan Aït-Nouri’s goal was correct. The statement read: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Munetsi in an offside position but deemed not to be impacting Vicario’s ability to play the ball.” The clarification has done little to ease the frustration among Tottenham supporters, especially given the optics of Vicario diving awkwardly around both Munetsi and his own teammate, Ben Davies, in a frantic attempt to reach the shot.

The chaotic opening sequence only added to the mounting pressure on Postecoglou’s men, who have now managed just one win in their last five Premier League outings. Defensive uncertainty, lapses in communication, and a fragile mindset continue to haunt the Lilywhites, and the early goal conceded at Molineux felt like yet another symptom of a deeper problem. With momentum slipping away and the threat of a relegation battle becoming uncomfortably real, Tottenham’s next fixtures could prove pivotal in salvaging what’s left of a rapidly deteriorating season.

Postecoglou may have reason to feel frustrated with the decision to allow the goal to stand. While the Premier League deemed the incident legal within the rules, the optics and context added fuel to a growing sense of injustice within the Tottenham camp.

This isn’t the first time the Australian has voiced concerns over officiating. Earlier this season, Postecoglou highlighted what he perceives as a lack of scrutiny over contentious decisions that affect Spurs. Speaking in March, as reported by football.london, he stated: “I’ll leave that to the officials, but I will say that we don’t carry on like a lot of other clubs, and I think that hurts us for sure.”

Those words now ring louder than ever. With his side crumbling under mounting pressure and VAR calls adding to the frustration, Postecoglou’s belief that Tottenham are treated differently may resonate more strongly among the fanbase. Whether or not that perception is fair, what’s undeniable is that Spurs are in a crisis, one that requires more than just refereeing clarity to fix.

With the Europa League now representing Tottenham’s only realistic shot at silverware, the upcoming second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt has taken on monumental significance. It’s more than just a knockout tie, it’s a defining moment in a rapidly unraveling season. A win is crucial not only to revive their European ambitions but also to provide a lifeline for Ange Postecoglou, whose position at the club grows more precarious with every poor result. The outcome in Frankfurt could shape the remainder of Spurs’ campaign and perhaps determine the future direction of the club itself.