Cristian Romero will be forced to serve a three-match suspension following his sending off in Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Spurs’ captain hit the headlines after unleashing a social-media attack on the board after his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City – but it was his erratic on-field behaviour that took centre stage at Old Trafford.
With the scoreline goalless in Manchester, Romero appeared to lose all control as he lunged in with his studs-up on Casemiro’s ankle in the 29th minute, leaving the Brazilian writhing around on the turf.
Referee Michael Oliver wasted little time in brandishing a red card from his pocket to send Romero for an early bath, reducing the visitors to ten men with over an hour remaining of the contest.
It was the sixth time that Romero has managed to get himself sent off in just 152 games for the north London outfit. It’s also the second time this season that he has been forced to serve a ban.
The Argentina international was suspended for four matches – and fined £50,000 – after he was sent off for a second bookable offence in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool back in December.
Just nine minutes after Romero’s shocking challenge on Romero, United managed to capitalise on their one-man advantage as Bryan Mbeumo beat Guglielmo Vicario with a superb first-time finish to open the scoring at the Theatre of Dreams.
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The games Cristian Romero will miss
Tottenham vs Newcastle – February 10 (Premier League)
Tottenham vs Arsenal – February 22 (Premier League)
Fulham vs Tottenham – March 1 (Premier League)
Romero’s suspension means Thomas Frank will be without the World Cup winner for Tottenham’s next three Premier League matches against Newcastle, bitter rivals Arsenal and Fulham.
Assuming he is fit, the 27-year-old centre-back could make his return in Spurs’ clash with Crystal Palace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 5.
‘In the blindside, he sees Casemiro coming in aggressively and you just know that Romero has got that switch,’ ex-England and Spurs goalkeeper Joe Hart said of Romero’s reckless tackle in the TNT Sports studio at half-time.
‘He doesn’t need to do that, there’s no need to go in like he has.
‘He’s still going to win that ball almost with a side-foot and he just smashes him.
‘You fear for Casemiro at the time and he’s done well to recover from that.’
More to follow.