Premier League released an official apology following obvious VAR error as Jarred Gillett faces ban

Premier League Issues Official Apology Over Controversial Offside Call in Tottenham 1-1 Leeds Draw

The Premier League has issued a rare official apology following a highly contentious offside decision during Monday night’s tense relegation scrap between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The match ended 1-1, with Mathys Tel giving Spurs the lead before Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised from the penalty spot. However, the game will be remembered for a pivotal moment in the first half when Brennan Johnson’s apparent opening goal was disallowed for offside. Replays and semi-automated technology appeared to show the call was marginal at best, with many observers — including Leeds players and staff — arguing that the decision was incorrect and cost Daniel Farke’s side momentum.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Premier League acknowledged the error, saying: “We regret the incorrect application of offside technology in last night’s fixture. The integrity of our competitions remains paramount, and we apologise to Leeds United and their supporters for the impact this had on the match.”

The apology comes amid heightened scrutiny on officiating as both clubs battle at opposite ends of the table. Leeds, already mathematically safe, showed their fighting spirit, while Tottenham remain just two points above the drop zone with two games left. Fans and pundits have called for greater transparency in VAR processes following the incident.

The Premier League confirmed a full review of the officiating team will take place.

Why Tottenham were denied penalty in Leeds draw as Premier League issue statement

The Premier League have explained why Tottenham Hotspur were not awarded a late penalty in their 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Monday night.

The Lilywhites missed the chance to move four points clear of the relegation zone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Mathys Tel’s strike was cancelled out by a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty.

Roberto De Zerbi bit the bullet and brought on Maddison for his first appearance of the season during the closing exchanges, as Spurs frantically searched for a late winner.

Maddison’s introduction at least injected some life into the Tottenham crowd, who were then up in arms when the playmaker was seemingly felled by Lukas Nmecha inside the area.

However, on-field referee Jarred Gillett saw nothing wrong with the incident, and nor did VAR Craig Pawson, who agreed with his colleague’s initial decision.

Tottenham told why James Maddison was not awarded penalty vs. Leeds Spurs are still yet to be awarded a penalty in the Premier League this season

They saw a penalty shout in the 111th-minute turned away ❌ pic.twitter.com/gfCJlyNUxe — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2026One hundred and eleven minutes had been played by that point, and there was no time for Spurs to mount another attack as the game ended level.

Replays showed that Nmecha may have got the slightest touch on the ball before making contact with Maddison, and the Premier League have now confirmed that was also Pawson’s view.”

The referee’s call of no penalty to Tottenham Hotspur was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Nmecha played the ball,” the PL Match Centre said on X.

Tottenham’s point at least moved them two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United in the Premier League table, and extended their unbeaten run to four matches in the division.

However, the Lilywhites will drop back down into the relegation zone if West Ham beat Newcastle United on Sunday, two days before De Zerbi’s men meet London rivals Chelsea.Leeds poke fun at reaction to Tottenham penalty incident “Doesn’t touch him” ? pic.twitter.com/wDhvjq8eid — Leeds United (@LUFC) May 11, 2026Before Tottenham were denied a penalty right at the death, Gillett eventually pointed to the spot in front of the away supporters following Tel’s challenge on Ethan Ampadu.

The Tottenham scorer went for an overhead kick clearance while Ampadu bravely went in to head the ball, and replays showed Tel’s studs catching the Welshman on the forehead.

Calvert-Lewin confidently blasted his penalty past Antonin Kinsky to level the scores, and Ampadu could be seen sporting a red mark on his head for the remainder of the game.

Leeds took the opportunity to poke fun at the reaction to the incident, posting an image of Ampadu’s red head on X with the caption “Doesn’t touch him” and a melting smiling face emoji.

While Kinsky could not stop Calvert-Lewin’s penalty, the Czech goalkeeper pulled off a save-of-the-season contender from Sean Longstaff – watch that incredible moment here.