Pedro Porro has found himself at the center of controversy following Tottenham Hotspur’s recent 3-0 victory over Everton, with many calling for him to face retrospective punishment for a dangerous challenge that went unpunished during the match.
The debate has intensified after former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett publicly criticized the officiating, suggesting that Porro should have been shown a red card for his reckless tackle.
According to Hackett, referee Craig Pawson missed a clear sending-off incident, one that could have dramatically changed the outcome of the game.
The moment in question came during Tottenham’s dominant win at Goodison Park on October 26, when Porro clattered into an Everton player with a high and forceful challenge.
Replays showed that the contact occurred well above the ankle, raising questions about how both the on-field referee and VAR failed to take action.
Despite clear television evidence of the dangerous tackle, no review was conducted, allowing the Spanish defender to continue and finish the match unpunished.
The decision has since sparked outrage among fans and pundits, many of whom believe Tottenham should have been reduced to ten men.
The match itself was a commanding performance from Tottenham, who comfortably secured three points thanks to two goals from Micky van de Ven and another from Pape Sarr.
The result lifted Thomas Frank’s side to third in the Premier League table, continuing their impressive run of form. However, the controversy surrounding Porro’s challenge has somewhat overshadowed what was otherwise a strong team performance.
Everton, already frustrated by other officiating decisions during the game including a denied penalty for Idrissa Gueye after a collision with Mohammed Kudus were left feeling hard done by once again.
Former referee Keith Hackett did not mince words when discussing the incident. He argued that referees must start taking a firmer stance on similar challenges, as they pose serious risks to player safety.
“We’re seeing more of these stamping-style tackles in the game,” Hackett said. “Too often, referees assume players are simply going for the ball, but that doesn’t excuse the point of contact.
When the foot lands on top of the boot or around the ankle area, that’s endangering an opponent’s safety. In my opinion, it’s a red card offense.”
Hackett went on to explain that while some officials may take the safer approach by issuing a yellow card for recklessness, incidents like Porro’s require stronger action to deter dangerous play in the future.
For many fans and analysts, Hackett’s comments highlight a broader issue with officiating standards in the Premier League this season.
The reliance on VAR was supposed to minimize such errors, yet incidents like this one continue to slip through. The lack of consistency in decision-making has fueled frustration across fanbases, especially when similar tackles in other matches have resulted in red cards.
Everton supporters, in particular, feel aggrieved, believing the missed call directly impacted their team’s chances of getting back into the game.
Porro’s disciplinary record, to his credit, has been relatively clean since joining Tottenham. Last season, he collected just five yellow cards and no red cards in Premier League competition. He’s not typically known for malicious play, which makes this incident all the more surprising.
Still, many believe that reputation should not shield any player from appropriate punishment when a challenge crosses the line. Hackett emphasized that referees must “stamp down” on this growing trend of reckless tackling, noting that intent should not outweigh the outcome when judging a foul’s severity.
While Tottenham celebrate their rise up the table, this controversy casts a shadow over their latest victory. It reignites discussions about the role of VAR and whether referees are becoming too lenient in their interpretation of dangerous play.
If Hackett’s assessment is correct, Porro could easily have seen red a decision that might have completely changed the flow and result of the game.
For now, it seems unlikely that retrospective action will be taken, as the incident was seen by officials during play. But the debate over referee accountability and player safety is far from over.
Hackett’s remarks serve as a reminder that football’s governing bodies must act decisively to protect players from harm and ensure the laws of the game are applied consistently, regardless of the team, player, or circumstance.
