Tottenham are having a nightmare season in the 2025-26 Premier League, with far too many key players facing major injuries, not to mention managerial chaos with multiple coaches, poor form, and, to top it off, they’re in a relegation scrap, currently wallowing in 17th place, fighting to avoid the drop for the first time in decades.
Common complaints include fans and some commentators point to an absence of penalties awarded all season, while other teams get them. There has been a string of contentious VAR/referee decisions going against them, including disallowed goals, non-red cards on opponents, and soft fouls given the other way.
Inconsistent application of rules compared to “bigger” or rival clubs; such as Arsenal allegedly getting favourable calls while winning the title.
Managers and players (e.g., Igor Tudor, Roberto De Zerbi) have criticised officials, with some collecting charges for comments.
This has led to social media noise calling it “corruption,” “rigged,” or “borderline corruption” — especially against a backdrop of Spurs fighting relegation.
No credible investigations, charges, or evidence of match-fixing, bribes, or organised corruption targeting Tottenham. Searches turn up fan rants, Instagram/TikTok clips, and opinion pieces, but crucially, no proof or compelling evidence.
Refereeing controversies happen every season across the league (VAR drama and such dissent noise are constants). Teams on bad runs always feel targeted, but this is classic sports bias perception. Tottenham has played poorly for stretches, with bad luck and weak performances amplifying the sense of injustice.
There are legitimate grounds to criticise inconsistent or poor officiating affecting Spurs, but this is as with many clubs – and not just us.
“Corruption” claims are fan hyperbole driven by their terrible season, and not actually backed by facts.
Football officiating is flawed and subjective, but systemic fixing against one big-name club isn’t supported here. If new evidence emerges (e.g., leaks or PGMOL probes), that could change, but right now, it’s mostly “Spursy” bad fortune, with an unhealthy smattering of referee incompetence.