Xavi Simons gives one-word reaction as Tottenham fear ‘bad’ Mathys Tel injury

Xavi Simons has asked football fans to play a game of spot the difference. Simons, who is recovering from an ACL tear sustained in April, watched on as Spurs slipped to a 1-0 loss away at Leeds on Saturday. But one moment in particular caught Simons’ attention and left him baffled as to how no further action was taken. What sparked Xavi Simons’ reaction? Spurs players and fans, including talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara, blew up deluxe when Leeds defender Jayden Bogle avoided a red card for an ugly challenge on Mathys Tel in the first half. Replays showed Bogle planted his foot on the back of Tel’s ankle, with the Spurs flyer requiring medical treatment following the miscued tackle. Although a five-minute VAR check ensued, Bogle escaped a red card while Tel had to be substituted. How severe is Mathys Tel’s injury? Unfortunately for Tel, the challenge could leave him sidelined for a period of time. Speaking after the contest, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted it was a ‘bad injury’. “Now we have to make the medical check, and in the next day we will know what is the problem.” For Simons, he could not believe Bogle remained on the pitch given he committed a similar foul on Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk last season but was sent off. The incident happened during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Spurs last December. Simons was initially shown a yellow card for the challenge by referee John Brooks. However, Brooks was instructed to review the tackle on the pitchside monitor, and it wasn’t long before Simons’ yellow card was upgraded to a red one. It was the first red card of Simons’ senior career and saw him immediately receive a three-match suspension. What did Xavi Simons say about Jayden Bogle’s challenge? Given the similarity in tackles but variation in punishment, Simons expressed his frustrations on social media. View Tweet: https://t.co/EysHS399lF Simons shared screenshots of both challenges to his Snapchat story along with the caption: “Difference?” Simons wasn’t the only Spurs player to express their befuddlement at Bogle not being punished. Speaking to talkSPORT, Spurs skipper Micky van de Ven said: “When I saw the impact from the side, I knew straight away. “I went to the referee and said, ‘This is a hard challenge.’ “I think it says enough that they’re going to check it. So when the VAR needs so long to check it, you can always call the ref to have a look by himself.” Why did Jayden Bogle avoid a red card? Despite Spurs fans wincing with every replay of Bogle’s tackle, VAR official Tony Harrington backed up referee John Brooks’ initial call not to send the Leeds ace off. “I’m confirming the on-field decision of no red card,” Harrington said. “There’s a lack of speed going into the challenge and he’s stepping into the tackle. “Confirming a reckless challenge.”