The main talking point of last night’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg was referee Stuart Attwell’s decision not to show Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall a second yellow card for a challenge on Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool.
Bergvall had already been booked, albeit harshly after replays showed little contact after sliding on Luis Diaz, when he attacked Tsimikas as the Greek full-back advanced late on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Attwell had an excellent view of the incident but, after playing an advantage, opted not to go back and send the Swede teenager off.
Liverpool were furious with captain Virgil van Dijk and manager Arne Slot who both expressed their frustration to match officials.
With Tsimikas off the field after receiving treatment on the pitch and Liverpool down to 10 men, Spurs quickly pushed the ball forward and Dominic Solanke played in Bergvall to score the only goal of the match at four minutes of full time. Despite some late pressure, the hosts held on to take a slight advantage over Anfield for the second leg on February 6.
What the laws say
Page 110 of the IFAB Laws of the Game states:
If the referee plays advantage for a foul for which a warning/exclusion would have been issued if play had been stopped, this warning/exclusion must be issued the next time play is resumed.
However, if the infraction deprives the opposing team of a clear scoring opportunity, the player is cautioned for unsportsmanlike behavior; if the infraction interfered with or stopped a promising attack, the player is not warned.
This is the rule that Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou referred to after the match. He said Bergvall’s tackle “stopped a promising attack” and therefore did not merit a warning.
However, the law continues…
The advantage should not be applied in situations involving serious foul play, violent conduct or a second cautionable offense unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal. The referee must send off the player as soon as the ball is out of play.
Given that this was not a situation in which Liverpool had “a clear opportunity to score a goal”, Attwell should have stopped the match and sent Bergvall off the pitch.
“It had a big influence on the game”
Arne Slot shares his thoughts on whether Lucas Bergvall should have been on the pitch to score Tottenham’s winning goal 💭 pic.twitter.com/LAmHueA8rZ
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025
What managers and players say
Postecoglou said: “He was unlucky to be on the pitch [at the time of scoring the goal]. If the advantage is played and it is not a cynical tackle, then it is not a yellow. We’ve been asking for it over the last couple of months and that’s what we’ve been told.
Slot said: “I think everyone would prefer the card to be given [for Bergvall] than having the advantage played 40 meters from their own goal. The other question is: Was it reckless enough to play the advantage and come back and say the tackle was still reckless? And enough to give a yellow?
Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “I think it was obvious it would be a second yellow. [for Bergvall]. It was pretty clear. And a minute later, he scores the winner… a coincidence.
“He [the referee] I made a mistake in my opinion and I told him so. He thinks not, but it was pretty obvious and everyone on the field knew it was supposed to be a yellow.
“There’s a linesman there, a fourth official there, there’s VAR, a referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost tonight, but it was a great moment of the match.
