But for a generation of footballers who have been at the forefront of the sport for the best part of two decades, this is the end of the road. A constellation of legends will be bowing out, with 2026 offering one last chance to win the biggest prize in football.

Some may go out as champions, others will fall short, but all of them will leave a huge gap on the international stage that no amount of emerging talent can immediately fill.

In this week’s newsletter, I take a look at the biggest stars likely playing in their last World Cup.

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Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi is on the verge of turning 39, and - despite some cryptic messages along the way - has committed to playing in a record-breaking sixth World Cup.

The greatest player in the history of the game won the one competition that had eluded him when Argentina defeated France in the 2022 final. Since then, Messi has moved Stateside to Inter Miami, stepping away from European football and taking more care of his body in the less demanding - but no less entertaining - world of MLS.

He has continued to represent his country, scoring and creating in moments that no other player his age would be able to comprehend. Questions remain over whether the Argentine magician can handle the expanded format in combination with the scorching heat expected in North America, but it would be foolish to expect Messi to bow out quietly.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo would become the oldest player to ever lift the World Cup should Portugal triumph this summer. Unlike Messi, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to win the tournament, nor has he even registered a goal in the knockout rounds, meaning his World Cup legacy has fallen well short of his iconic status.

It should be impossible for a player of Ronaldo’s age to still be capable of competing at the top level, yet here he is, still scoring prolifically in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, and still insisting he has no plans to retire anytime soon.

Portugal’s squad is stacked with talent while the likes of Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Goncalo Ramos are all waiting in the wings to build their international careers, but Roberto Martinez has continued to build around Ronaldo as a central part of his quest to deliver a first World Cup to the European nation. Joining Messi in featuring at his sixth finals, this is surely CR7’s final shot at global glory.

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Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)

There is a third player who is set to join Messi and Ronaldo in playing at their sixth World Cup this summer, though there was far less certainty surrounding Guillermo Ochoa’s participation in the tournament.

A veteran of over 150 caps for Mexico, the legendary goalkeeper had made just one appearance for El Tri since the CONCACAF Nations League finals in March 2024, and was not expected to be part of Javier Aguirre’s squad. However, after first-choice shot-stopper, Angel Malagon, suffered an Achilles injury in March, the door opened for Ochoa to make his return to the co-hosts’ ranks at the age of 40.

Ochoa’s nomadic career has seen him spend time playing club football in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Belgium, while he spent last season in Cyprus with AEL Limassol. He has hinted that he will retire after the World Cup, bringing to an end the career of a man who has become a tournament staple over the past two decades.

Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Ochoa isn’t the only legendary goalkeeper to have received an unexpected call-up, either. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen having struggled with injuries over the past two years, and as doubts persisted over the form of prospective starter Oliver Baumann, Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann made the bold choice to call Manuel Neuer up out of international retirement for one last rodeo.

Neuer was among a number of veterans who called time on their Germany careers after they hosted Euro 2024, but has been coaxed back to play at his fifth World Cup at the age of 40 after another season of impressive performances for Bayern Munich.

Nagelsmann has confirmed that Neuer will be his No.1 in North America as Die Mannschaft look to avoid a third successive group-stage exit.

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Luka Modric (Croatia)

Another 40-year-old, Luka Modric is second only to Ronaldo when it comes to the oldest outfield players at this World Cup as he aims to add one final chapter to his storied career at the tournament. The midfield maestro led Croatia to their first-ever final in 2018, where they ultimately lost to France, while Modric also inspired his country’s third-placed finish in 2022.

Modric joined AC Milan last summer following his release by Real Madrid in a bid to keep his legs sharp, and he will now take to the field at his fifth World Cup finals, where he will become just the fourth player to accrue 200 international caps (presuming Messi beats him to it - the Argentine currently boasts 198 caps to Modric’s 197).

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England will be hoping to finally bring football home under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, while both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are eyeing one more shot at glory in what is likely both of their farewell tournaments.

As usual, there are a handful of favourites to win football’s biggest prize, but between the endless lines of betting opportunities, there are some great value picks that could return you a tidy profit by the time July rolls around.

That is the subject of this week’s newsletter. I’ve picked out five bets I think have great potential and value to bring home a tidy profit this summer.

Don’t forget to check out the paid section of the newsletter as well, where you can find some great information on how to start your own social media channels, what equipment and software are best to use, and much more!

All betting prices are subject to change and provided by Bet365 at the time of writing.

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World Cup Winner: France (5/1)

We’re starting things off with a casual outright bet. There is always great value in these because it is so tough to pick out an individual nation when there is so much quality across the board at a World Cup.

My pick this year is France, for a few different reasons. After winning the tournament in 2018, Les Bleus were then a few penalties shy of becoming back-to-back world champions.

Four years on from Qatar, and their squad has arguably become even better. The emergence of talents such as Desire Doué and Warren Zaire-Emery gives Didier Deschamps’ side an added element of unpredictability, while Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé has really hit his stride in the last 12 months at PSG.

Kylian Mbappe has a point to prove after an up-and-down season with Real Madrid, and we haven’t even mentioned the likes of Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki or Bradley Barcola.

France’s attack is by far the best on the planet; they have so many options. But what makes them my favourites is that they have quality in every position. At the back, William Saliba (if fit) is arriving off a phenomenal campaign after winning the Premier League with Arsenal, and he is just one of several defenders who could prove to be the difference this summer.

And what brings it all together is Deschamps himself. Already a World Cup-winning manager, he has the experience and technical nous to get this France squad over the line again.

Golden Boot Winner: Harry Kane (7/1)

When you look at the list of names favoured to win the World Cup Golden Boot this summer, Harry Kane is the obvious choice.

England may be behind the likes of France and Spain in the outright tournament winner betting odds, but with the season Kane has had at Bayern Munich, you would be a fool to bet against him.

With 61 goals in 51 games across all competitions this season, the Three Lions skipper is in the form of his life. And at a surprising 7/1 on the market, he is a great value pick to propel his country towards the latter stages of the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe is the bookies’ favourite to land the award, but with France having a catalogue of attacking options at their disposal - combined with the forward’s inconsistent form this season - he may have a less important role for his country than he did four years ago.

The concern for England may be their ability to score goals under Tuchel, after the German adopted a more rigid system during qualifying. But the Three Lions have proved themselves to be a tournament team in the last eight years, and they have a great chance of going on another strong run.

Most Assists: Bruno Fernandes (10/1)

Portugal have never quite been able to do it in major tournaments during the Cristiano Ronaldo era, and this is the Al-Nassr star’s last shot at winning the World Cup.

The Selecao have always been a dangerous side, but never the best, but that could still change.

At the heart of their midfield is Bruno Fernandes. Fresh off breaking the Premier League assist record, Manchester United’s captain would love to cap off a stellar individual campaign with the biggest prize of them all.

Supported by the likes of Vitinha and Joao Neves behind him, Fernandes will have the freedom of the midfield to really pull the strings, and he certainly has an eye for an assist this season.

If Portugal can get off to a quick start in the group stages, at 10/1, Fernandes to finish with the most assists at the World Cup looks like an absolute steal.

Scotland To Win Group C (12/1)

Before you laugh at this pick, hear me out. Scotland sit in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. On paper, it looks like the Tartan Army may even struggle to finish in the top two, let alone triumph at the top, but momentum is a huge thing in football.

Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, Steve Clarke’s side have a habit of causing upsets.

And with plenty of talent on their books, including the likes of Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and John McGinn, there is every chance that they could start fast and stun their opponents.

Should Brazil start slowly and Morocco not live up to the hype they created in 2022, the Scots have every chance of causing some upsets.

Mbappe, Lukaku, Kane, Messi, Haaland to lead nation scoring (11/1)

This is a bit of a fun one to finish. Bet365 have boosted Kylian Mbappe, Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland to all lead the scoring for the countries this summer.

It might seem like a lot to achieve, but some of these are a guarantee. Mbappe, Kane and Haaland are almost guaranteed to rack up the goals for France, England and Norway, and if Messi is fit, he will lead Argentina’s charge for back-to-back titles.

Belgium are a little bit more unpredictable, and considering Lukaku has missed most of the season through injury, it is hard to predict how he will perform.

The Red Devils are not the team they once were, but they still have an elite provider in Kevin De Bruyne, and if Lukaku can start quickly, there are not too many other options in the squad that could trump him in terms of goals scored.

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Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the title, while it was euphoria for the likes of Sunderland, Bournemouth and Brighton, who trumped some huge names to secure European football next term.

We said farewell to Wolves, Burnley and West Ham, who were relegated to the Championship, the latter’s demise coming to the relief of Tottenham fans, who survived on the final day.

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As usual, the latest campaign in England’s top flight has provided its usual flood of drama, a dose of unpredictability and plenty of controversy, but now that the dust has settled, are you happy with how your team’s season went?

In today’s piece, I rank all 20 clubs’ seasons from A-F. Let me know if you’re happy with the grade your club has been given.

Arsenal (1st) - A+

First on the list is the champions. After trying and failing several times under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners finally got over the line.

Many have tried to argue that Arsenal’s title was handed to them after a mediocre season from Manchester City, but there is no doubting that the North London club were the best team in the division this season.

A formidable backline, quality in midfield and now with a striker who can find the back of the net, Arsenal are deserving champions.

And with the Champions League still to play for, things could get even better for the Gooners who have come out of hiding in the last week.

Aston Villa (4th) - A-

What a season for Aston Villa. Fourth in the standings, and a Europa League trophy to go with it.

Although for much of the season it looked like Unai Emery’s men may be a surprise package to compete with Arsenal and City for the title, that was never their aim.

Cementing their spot in the Champions League and challenging for silverware would have been the two objectives for Villa at the start of the campaign, and they have achieved both.

Once again, Emery prevails in a European competition, and it does not look like the Midlands club are set to challenge towards the top of the table for many years to come.

Bournemouth (6th) - A

Andoni Iraola leaves Bournemouth in an incredible position. After securing a spot in next season’s Europa League on the final day, the Spaniard closes the book on the most successful chapter in the Cherries’ history.

Recruitment has played its part in helping deliver success on the South Coast, but the ultimate credit lies with those on the pitch.

Eli Kroupi Jr, Alex Scott, and Marcos Senesi, Bournemouth have some top talents on their books, and if they can continue to make the right signings, there is no reason why they cannot push on from this position.

Either way, the 2025-26 campaign will be one that Cherries fans will never forget.

Brentford (9th) - B+

Congratulations to Keith Andrews for delivering a fantastic campaign in West London. Stepping into the hole left by Thomas Frank was no easy task, and you could argue that the Bees boss has already exceeded him.

After losing their long-standing manager, as well as Bryan Mbeumo, many predicted Brentford to fall into the pits of relegation this season.

But it was the opposite. They were denied Europe on the final day and had they picked up one or two more favourable results across the season, the Bees would have been partying in Europe next season.

For what was expected of them and by their standards, a ninth-placed finish in the end can still go down as a successful campaign.

Brighton (8th) - B

Returning to Europe next season is Brighton, who snapped up eighth in the standings and the Europa Conference League spot.

Fabian Hurzeler has once again proven that he can get the job done, even if support among the Seagulls’ fanbase was not always on his side throughout the campaign.

It was a remarkable recovery from the South Coast side, and with competition around them so tight, to get over the line on the final day is a testament to the world-class recruitment strategy in place at the club.

They can still improve, but finishing in the European places is still a worthwhile achievement.

Burnley (19th) - D

A disappointing return to the Premier League for Burnley. It is always a challenge for those sides coming up to the top flight to keep their place among England’s elite, but it never worked out.

Scott Parker did his best with the Clarets, but it appears the former Tottenham and West Ham midfielder is an elite-level Championship manager who struggles to provide results in the Premier League.

As usual, Burnley will likely be fighting to return at the first time of asking next season, but that will not lift the disappointment of the fans who turned up to Turf Moor every week.

It seems a long time ago now that Sean Dyche delivered Europe to the club for the first time.

Chelsea (10th) - E

A nightmare campaign for Chelsea. With expectations among the highest in Europe, finishing on the border of the bottom half is not good enough.

After sacking both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, there was a brief spell where it looked like the Blues might be able to save their season. But after losing in the FA Cup final as well, and then missing out on Europe altogether, it is safe to say every Chelsea fan will be looking to forget this campaign as quickly as possible.

Next season may be different under Xabi Alonso, but since BlueCO have taken over in West London, they have yet to find the recipe for success.

And with the hundreds of millions they spend in the transfer market every year, they must be held accountable.

Crystal Palace (15th) - D

Crystal Palace’s season may yet be saved if they can win the Europa Conference League, but in terms of their Premier League performance, it has been disappointing.

FA Cup winners last term and fighting in Europe has been a great experience for Palace fans in 2025-26, but 11 wins in an entire campaign will always bring unrest with it.

Oliver Glasner is leaving, and the club also lost both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi across the campaign.

But that is no excuse for the Eagles, and they will be determined to do better next term.

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Everton (13th) - C-

It was 13th spot in the end for Everton, but like so many others, it was a case of what could have been.

After a great three-quarters of a campaign under David Moyes, the first season of the Hill Dickinson era came to an end in disappointing fashion.

A barren run in the final six games of the season quashed the Toffees’ chances of making Europe, despite having one of the best away records in the league.

Only four points stood between them and the Conference League in the end, a gap they will be hoping to bridge over the summer as they prepare to go again.

Fulham (11th) - C

A good campaign overall from Fulham, although it is unlikely to meet the standards of Marco Silva.

With talks commencing to extend the head coach’s contract, there is likely a feeling of content at Craven Cottage after an 11th-placed finish in the Premier League.

Just one point off the European spots, the Cottagers’ campaign was decided by fine margins in the end, which is still an achievement in itself considering the competitive nature of the top flight this term.

With a few smart additions in the summer, could Fulham be a dark horse for Europe next season?

Leeds (14th) - B

Leeds’ late-season surge saw them finish 14th in the end, which was met with delight by the fans after serious fears of relegation for much of the campaign.

They ended the season under Daniel Farke as one of the most in-form sides in the division, with some notable performances across the campaign as well.

A victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and a run to the FA Cup semi-final as well, this has been a positive return to the Premier League for Leeds.

Their expectations will likely heighten during the off-season, but they have now re-established themselves as a quality side among England’s best.

Liverpool (5th) - C-

In all honesty, Liverpool’s title defence was a complete disaster. Injuries, discontent and frustration have been the theme on Merseyside this season, and many fans believe Arne Slot is lucky to still be in a job.

It was a disappointing campaign on all fronts, and the Reds are lucky that fifth place snapped up a Champions League spot next season.

After spending an absolute fortune in the summer window on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike, the former champions never lived up to the hype.

But that showcases the standards at Anfield, that finishing in a Champions League spot is a disappointing campaign.

Manchester City (2nd) - B

Anything but the Premier League title would have been a failure in the eyes of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

They had several chances to pip Arsenal to the crown, but failed in equal measure.

In a season that would prove to be Guardiola’s last after a 10-year stint, the Cityzens did still deliver an FA Cup and League Cup double, but that is a bare minimum for a club that has been so successful in recent times.

With the future at the Etihad now uncertain, was this the last chance to win the Premier League title before a shift in landscape at the club?

Manchester United (3rd) - A-

After finishing 16th last season, if you had told Manchester United fans that they would sack Ruben Amorim halfway through the season and still finish third, they would have taken it.

That is exactly what happened. Michael Carrick’s arrival has breathed new life into the Red Devils, and Champions League football is now back on the table after a few years away.

There may not have been any silverware or really anything majorly exciting to occur in the 25/26 campaign for United, but they were consistent.

Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko have all found their feet after moving in the summer, and it looks like they will kick on under Carrick as he looks to restore order in Manchester now that Guardiola has departed.

Newcastle (12th) - E

This is not the standard Newcastle fans have come to expect of their club.

From Champions League to lingering near the danger zone at one point, Eddie Howe is aware that the levels have not been good enough this season.

It will hurt the Magpies to see their rivals Sunderland return to the top flight and immediately bounce into Europe, but expect the club to use that as fuel next season.

For now, though, Newcastle will be left to reflect on a campaign of shortcomings and a decision to make regarding Howe’s role as manager.

Nottingham Forest (16th) - D

Evangelos Marinakis strives for excellence, but Forest were far from that in 2025-26.

Their barren run under Ange Postecoglou plunged them into serious danger and were it not for the heroics of Morgan Gibbs-White - the man Marinakis fought so hard to keep in the summer - then Forest may have gone down.

But Vitor Pereira’s arrival stabilised the Midlands club, and they did just enough to renew their Premier League status for next season.

Their grade remains slightly kinder due to their strong run in the Europa League, where they fell to Villa in the semi-finals.

Sunderland (7th) - A+

What a return for the Black Cats to England’s top table. Securing Europa League football on the final day with a win over Chelsea is the stuff of dreams for those on Wearside.

Regis Le Bris has put the light in Stadium of Light after being tasked with simply keeping Sunderland up after their return through the play-offs last season, but he went above and beyond expectations.

The North-East side spent a lot of money in the transfer window attempting to build a squad capable of competing in the top flight, but no one could have imagined just how successful the campaign would be.

Their strong home form carried them over the line, and now Sunderland fans are rushing to get their passports renewed ahead of some exciting European away days next season.

Tottenham (17th) - F

I take no pleasure in writing such a scathing assessment of my own club, but what happened at Tottenham this season was an embarrassment.

Three managers, three wins at home all season and a calamitous injury crisis, Spurs were very lucky to avoid relegation on the final day. You could maybe learn to forgive the issues at the club if they were a one-off, but that is two 17th-placed finishes in consecutive seasons now, and the standards simply must be raised.

Roberto De Zerbi will be hailed for his efforts to keep the club up in the end, but those celebrations will be short-lived.

Work needs to begin immediately to ensure such a disaster never comes that close to a ‘big 6’ football club ever again.

West Ham (18th) - F

Pain for West Ham on the final day. In January, no one gave the Hammers a hope of staying up, and they looked well adrift of the teams outside of the bottom three with a few months to go.

But they made a fight of the relegation scrap and nearly dragged Tottenham into the mess they have had to absorb.

Ultimately, though, the drop into the Championship after 14 years could spell disaster for West Ham.

They now have to deal with all the consequences of playing second-tier football, and it looks like there is a very big financial mess to clear up at the London Stadium.

Wolves (20th) - F

It was too little, too late by the time Rob Edwards returned to Wolves in an effort to save them.

Rooted to the bottom of the table for almost the entire campaign, Molineux was not a happy place for many supporters across the 25/26 campaign.

One ‘positive’ Wolves fans can take from their relegation being confirmed so early is that they have had plenty of time to prepare for life in the Championship next season.

They are arguably better placed than both West Ham and Burnley to bounce straight back up.

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Tuesday will live long in the memory of many Spurs fans, but not for good reasons.

It says it all that Arsenal finally winning the title had little to no impact on my mood by the time I went to bed. Let’s be honest, they deserved it. Manchester City have slipped up too many times, and Bournemouth was the final straw.

Now we have to deal with a summer of gloating from insufferable Gooners who have been waiting for this moment, many for their entire lives.

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But their title is stained. This season, Arsenal have not conceded a penalty in the Premier League, nor have they had a man sent off in the top flight.

Alone, that stat would raise eyebrows, but when you consider some of the incidents Mikel Arteta’s men have gone unpunished for, it is quite incredible.

Kai Havertz’s challenge to the back of Ugochukwu’s calf on Monday night was the latest example. Xavi Simons was sent off for arguably a less aggressive tackle on Virgil van Dijk earlier in the season, and there have been countless other controversies that have seen players dismissed.

But Arsenal are seemingly an exception to the rule. All season, they have been allowed to grapple with their opponents in the penalty area, giving them the title of ‘Set Piece Kings’, while any other of the 19 Premier League clubs are marshalled much more strictly.

Credit is due to them, though. I don’t think anyone can deny that they have been the best - or at least most consistent - team in the league this term. They will not put up an astonishing points tally, finishing in the mid-80s is distinctly average for a side to be crowned Premier League champions.

No one is denying their quality; the bigger issue stems from their mastery of the dark arts, the abhorrent and blatantly obvious cheating at times. Gabriel hitting the deck at every opportunity when he comes into contact with a physical striker, but yet getting away with a blatant headbutt towards Erling Haaland earlier in the campaign.

A similar battle happened with Nick Woltemade at Newcastle, and Gabriel’s blatant handball to deny the hosts a penalty also featured in that game.

Realistically, I could sit here and list over a dozen incidents that have fallen in Arsenal’s favour this season - Merino on Rogers, Trossard on Wirtz, Saliba on Beto, Gabriel on several other attackers.

It’s fine to accept that most teams will get a few decisions in their favour, perhaps when it isn’t necessarily the correct call, but that isn’t the case. Enter Tottenham.

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Tottenham Victims of Unconscious Bias

Tottenham are refereed differently. That’s a fact. Put all your club bias aside, and consider for a moment how incredibly rare it is for a side not to be awarded a penalty the entire season.

Against Chelsea, if not a penalty for Marc Cucurella’s challenge on Micky van de Ven, then Liam Delap should have been sent off for his blatant and intentional elbow on Djed Spence.

The challenge on James Maddison against Leeds last week was marginal, but almost any other side would have originally been given the penalty, and I am convinced that had Jarred Gillett awarded the spot-kick, it would not have been overturned.

I am not saying that there is an agenda against Spurs, I think the quality of refereeing in England is just incredibly below-par.

But I do think there is an unconscious bias toward the North London club.

There is a video circulating online that is 10 MINUTES LONG (yes, there is that much evidence), showing a catalogue of refereeing errors against the club.

This was posted at the end of April as well, so it doesn’t include the last few games in which Spurs have been unquestionably mistreated.

On top of that, Spurs players are booked more frequently than any other Premier League side; the numbers do not lie.

Just over four fouls per card, compared to Arsenal’s staggering 7.5. In this situation, it feels like everything goes against us.

Every challenge is a foul, every 50/50 is a yellow card, but when the same happens against us, there is a tendency to take a more lenient approach.

Maybe that is just a caveat of us being in this relegation battle; the whole world feels like it’s against us, but it’s not like there is not plenty of evidence out there to suggest that the statement is true.

Now, with just one game left, I fear the officials will have a bigger role in deciding our fate than the players on the pitch.

We might survive, it would take a serious collapse from both Leeds and us for it to happen.

But when you’ve been a Tottenham fan for as long as I have, you know that the worst is entirely possible.

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Welcome to the first issue of Off The Record. I’ll keep the introduction short, as I know you’re here for the football.

I’m not just saying this as a Tottenham fan, but it feels like every big decision has gone against us this season. After the fiasco against Leeds on Monday, I saw an incredible thread on X highlighting all of the controversial moments involving the officials and Spurs, and it’s safe to say that the list is quite extensive.

James Maddison took to Instagram on Tuesday to claim that referees are scared to make big decisions in games nowadays, and that VAR is too heavily relied upon. He’s right.

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But my issue is, they still get the biggest decisions wrong.

It took less than 20 seconds to dismiss Maddison’s penalty claims in the 112th minute against Leeds on Monday, but it is clear to most people who have watched it back that there is a serious argument to suggest Spurs should have had a penalty.

At the other end of the pitch, it took five minutes to award the visitors a spot kick after Mathys Tel’s ridiculous attempt at a bicycle kick in his own box. So why was the incident in front of the South Stand dismissed so quickly?

Tottenham the unfortunate victims of incompetence

Well, it isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it won’t be the last. There have been at least 14 wrong decisions against Tottenham made by the referee this season, in matches that could have influenced the result.

You’re looking at a potential 15-20 points dropped because of poor officiating, which makes the fact that Spurs have only written to the PGMOL in complaint once this season a complete farce.

Other teams would not have hesitated to express their fury at decisions going against them, but we fans have known for a while now that the people in charge of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club - yes, I am looking at you, Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange - have no spine.

Had the club built a reputation for not just accepting the incompetence of officials, perhaps we would not be in this relegation mess, but instead, with two games to go in the Premier League campaign, there is every possibility that we may be playing Championship football next season.

So here is the list, exposing all of the big (and mostly wrong) decisions against Spurs this season, and remember, the Premier League supposedly wants to ‘keep the big six clubs up.’

Every VAR error against Spurs

1. James Maddison is denied a penalty against Leeds in the last minute of added time, with VAR checking and clearing the incident almost immediately, despite replays showing Nmecha does not get a touch on the ball.

2. Manchester City’s Rodri is not sent off for a high-foot challenge on Conor Gallagher.

3. Brian Brobbey is not shown a second yellow card for shoving Romero into Antonin Kinsky, with the Tottenham captain tearing his MCL, ending his season, and Sunderland going on to win the game.

   

4. Archie Gray is not awarded a penalty away to Brentford despite being fouled by Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade in the box.

5. Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser against Arsenal is chalked off after he is deemed to push Gabriel in the back.

6. One week later, Raul Jimenez’s goal for Fulham against Spurs is not ruled out, despite the Mexican forward pushing Radu Dragusin in the back with two hands.

7. Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike scores against Tottenham despite pushing Romero in the back with two hands.

8. Romero's goal away to West Ham was ruled out after pushing a player in the back on the way to scoring.

9. Enzo Fernandez goes unpunished after a knee-high challenge on Joao Palhinha in Chelsea’s win at Tottenham.

10. Rodrigo Bentancur gives away a penalty at Newcastle despite being held in a headlock by the towering Dan Burns.

11. Xavi Simons is sent off for a challenge on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s calf, despite both Phil Foden and Hwang Hee-Chan both escaping red cards for similar tackles in other games.

12. Brian Brobbey scores the equaliser away to Tottenham despite twice grappling with Pedro Porro, including raising his arm to his face.

13. Micky van de Ven was awarded a penalty against Bournemouth after being tripped in the box, but it was overturned - I still can’t tell you why.

14. Ollie Scarles commits a handball in the box in the 2-1 win over Tottenham, but a VAR review opted not to award a penalty.

    

15. Cristian Romero is sent off against Manchester United for a late tackle on Casemiro, but Brobbey and Diego Dalot both go unpunished for similar challenges in other games.

16. Dominic Solanke is thrown to the floor by Lisandro Martinez in the same game, but no penalty is awarded.

17. Richarlison is dragged back by Van Dijk while one-on-one with the goalkeeper at Anfield, with the Liverpool man unpunished for the offence.

18. Destiny Udogie is fouled while charging in on goal at Sunderland, with no foul or red card awarded despite the DOGSO rules.

19. Ethan Ampadu commits two yellow card offences inside 5 seconds against Tottenham, with Roberto De Zerbi the one cautioned by the referee.

20. Cristiano Romero is handed an additional one-game ban for failing to leave the pitch after being sent off against Liverpool, despite the captain only taking 17 seconds to remove himself.

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Mitchell Fretton - LiveScore, GOAL, Colchester United, Sky Sports News.

@Mitch_Fretton on YouTube, X, TikTok and other major platforms.