Tottenham captain Cristian Romero apologized to his team-mates after receiving a first-half red card and losing 2-0 to Man United on Saturday, but head coach Thomas Frank backed his captain.
Romero was criticized by the Soccer Saturday Committee, saying his sending off had “let the team down”. The Argentina international was red-carded for a challenge on Casemiro in the 29th minute at Old Trafford, leaving his team-mates with the task of playing 10 men for more than an hour against in-form United.
Goals from Brian Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes sealed United’s victory, leaving Spurs 14th in the Premier League table.
Frank acknowledged that Romero had said he was sorry for his actions in the dressing room after the loss, but insisted the defender had not meant to hurt Casemiro.
“A red card is a red card,” he said. “I watched it five times. Kuti tried to go for the ball. He plays with passion and aggression, but it’s a fine line.”
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Soccer Saturday Team discusses Cristian Romero’s sending off for challenging Casemiro during Spurs’ match against Manchester United
Frank also referenced Romero’s passion earlier this week when he defended the centre-back’s social media abuse.
After the 2-2 draw with Man City, Romero made headlines for using the word “disgraceful” after referring to how oversized Spurs’ squad was, in an apparent harsh criticism of Spurs’ recruitment.
This followed Romero’s social media posts in January in which he accused the club’s hierarchy of being “lies”. “They only show up when things are going well and tell some lies,” he wrote in a post that has since been edited.
On Thursday, head coach Frank said the matter had been “addressed internally” and backed his captain, who will start against United on Saturday.
Asked if he regretted making Romero captain, Frank said: “No, not really. He apologized to his teammates in the dressing room. He’s one of the most important players for us. He’s not going to get a red card.”
“He apologized to the team. That’s enough for me now. There’s nothing more I can do.”
Cristian Romero is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver and sent off.
Cristian Romero leaves the field after being shown a red card for challenging Casemiro
It was Romero’s second red card of the season and he will now be suspended for four games, including the North London derby.
“It’s an absolute nightmare for Thomas Frank,” former Spurs captain Michael Dawson said on Saturday’s Soccer Show.
“For Thomas Frank, this is a disaster. As a manager, you sit in 14th place and you think, ‘The captain came out and said this’. Now he’s down to 10 players.
“I’m embarrassed. As captain, I have to set an example by leaving the 10-man team at Old Trafford vulnerable.
“We lost our captain and one of our best players. He let the team down again today.”
Romero has been sent off six times in all competitions since making his Spurs debut in August 2021, more than any other player in the competition over the same period.
He has been red four times in the Premier League, the most by a Spurs player alongside Younes Kaboul.
During a game against Liverpool in December this season, he was given a fine and an additional suspension for failing to leave the field promptly, and was dismissed.
Romero’s reaction to red
Here’s how Romero’s first-half red card was covered on Sky Sports…
Michael Dawson’s Soccer Saturday:
“Romero came in. He thought there was a tackle. Full throttle. He complied until the end. We don’t need Mike Dean. We don’t need VAR. It’s not going to be overturned. I hope Casemiro is okay.”
Peter Smith of Sky Sports:
“Romero caused problems for Frank this week with his social media posts. He in turn caused big problems on the pitch with his bad tackles.”
“What was that word Romero used in his social media post? ‘Shameful.'”
Paul Merson speaks on Soccer Saturday:
“I hope this doesn’t turn into something ridiculous and Man Utd win 4-5 and Tottenham fans are sitting in pubs saying, ‘If everyone was like Romero we’d be fine, if everyone was into it…'”
“It’s probably his fault they’re losing now. It’s his fault. I can’t believe it.”
Romero monthly headlines
January 7th – Club hierarchy accused of lies
January 8 – Frank defends Romero, calling him a “true captain”
February 2 – Romero uses the word “disgraceful” after referring to the lack of depth on the Spurs squad
February 5th – Frank says he didn’t post on social media, but says Romero is passionate and ambitious
February 7 – Romero receives a straight red card for a frightening tackle at Old Trafford
