Major VAR room video footage emerges, raising more suspicious questions about Premier League referee officiating

Tottenham Hotspur were denied a first-half penalty at the Stadium of Light after a VAR review determined that Omar Alderete had made a clean challenge on Randal Kolo Muani.

Spurs initially looked set to take the lead midway through the opening half when Muani surged into the Sunderland penalty area. Referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot following a challenge from Alderete, with Luke O’Nien also sliding in during the incident.

However, VAR official James Bell intervened and advised Jones to review the decision on the pitchside monitor. Upon watching the replays, it became clear that Alderete had made contact with the ball before Muani went down, with O’Nien’s involvement coming afterward.

As a result, the referee overturned the penalty decision and instead awarded Sunderland a drop ball.

Following the review, the official announcement confirmed: “After review, the defender clearly plays the ball first before any subsequent contact. Final decision is a drop ball to the goalkeeper. No penalty.”