Cristian Romero picked up a straight red card against Manchester United and will now be a major absence for Tottenham, with the defender set to miss their next four Premier League games
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank says Cristian Romero remains one of his most important players, and the Argentine apologised to his teammates after receiving his second red card of the Premier League season. The 27‑year‑old was dismissed with a straight red card in the first half for a challenge on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
He left his teammates with the task of facing in-form United for over an hour with 10 men and will now serve a four-game ban. Romero will miss games against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Despite initial concern for Casemiro with Romero going in on the Brazilian star's ankle, the United midfielder was able to continue.
After the match, Frank confirmed Romero apologised to the group and made it clear he has no regrets about keeping him on as skipper despite his recent social media swipe at the club's hierarchy.
"No, there is not [regrets about making him captain]," Frank said.
"He's apologised to his team-mates in the changing room. He's one of our most important players.
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"He doesn't have any intention to get a red card. Cuti tried to go for the ball. You play with passion and aggression and there's a fine line.
"He's apologised to the team and that's enough for me right now, there's nothing more to do."
At the time, TNT co-commentator Ally McCoist said of the challenge: "He definitely catches studs on ankle. It does look really painful.
"I don't think he needs to follow through, I think it's ridiculous. There's a way he can challenge for the ball and win the ball, it's madness.
"He's just letting his teammates down again, he doesn’t need to do that."
The Premier League's official Match Centre account on X have explained the reasons behind Romero's dismissal, and why the decision was not overturned.
The post read: "The referee's call of red card to Romero for serious foul play was checked and confirmed by VAR, with it deemed that the challenge was made with excessive force and endangered an opponent."
Romero made his 20th Premier League start against United, and before the game there were doubts over whether Frank would keep him as the on‑pitch leader following the defender's comments on social media.
"Romero is 27-years-old. Is he still going to make mistakes going forward as a leader, does he do a lot of good things? Yes," Frank said in defence of his player.