Conte sent off as VAR denies Spurs win over Sporting

• Antonio Conte was sent off on Wednesday night during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon. 
• Spurs had to defeat Sporting Lisbon so as to secure their position in the round of 16. However, the draw means they must defeat Marseille next week so as to proceed to the knockout stages. 

Antonio Conte received a red card on Wednesday night as Sporting Lisbon held Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw. 

The Premier League side thought they had won in the last seconds of the game after Harry Kane found the back of the net. 

However, the goal was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check. The referee’s decision left Tottenham Hotspur players and manager Antonio Conte furious and shouting in despair.

Antonio Conte received a red card. Photo/ Goal.com.

Harry Kane’s goal would have helped Tottenham Hotspur avoid the winner take all situation they will face next week as they travel to Marseille.

Antonio Conte made his protests known to referee Danny Makkelie, who showed him the red card instead. The London side will now play their next crucial Champions League fixture without the Italian manager. 

Tottenham Hotspur needed to win the match against Sporting Lisbon so as to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

However, their performance in the first half was wanting despite being backed by the home fans. Spurs players made a series of aimless and misplaced passes that, at some point, made the fans show their frustrations. 

Sporting Lisbon took the lead in the 22nd minute through Marcus Edwards, a Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate.

Edward threatened Tottenham’s defence several times in the first half and his goal was a brilliant low shot drilled past Hugo Lloris.

Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Photo/ Football 365.

Antonio Conte’s side came back stronger in the second half but had to wait until the 80th minute before finding the equalizer through Rodrigo Bentancur. 

However, Spurs still looked vulnerable at some point, and Hugo Lloris had to make a big save to deny Sporting a second goal. 

What Did Antonio Conte Say? 

Speaking after the match, Antonio Conte insisted that Harry Kane’s goal should have counted because the ball was in front of him. 

The Italian manager believes there is a lot of injustice that comes with the VAR, and he does not like it. He cheekily targeted the match’s official by saying that he was shown a red card because he was the most popular person on the pitch. 

“At the end, I think the ball was in front of Kane. The goal is a goal. We don’t understand the VAR or the line that they put. It is very difficult to comment on this decision, and I think VAR is damaging a lot. [There was] a lot of injustice. I repeat, I don’t like this type of situation because I see no positive things. All of the people came inside after the decision to disallow the goal, and then he came to give me a red card because I’m the most popular person on the pitch.