- Spurs player Pedro Porro clashed with teammate Lucas Bergvall over whether players should applaud fans after a home defeat.
- The incident occurred during Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Fulham in the Premier League.
- Tottenham manager Thomas Frank criticized fans for booing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and described their behavior as “unacceptable.”
- This event comes amid Tottenham’s recent struggles, having not won a home Premier League match since early October.
Incident at White Hart Lane
In a heated scene that unfolded after Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, Pedro Porro appeared to clash with teammate Lucas Bergvall over whether players should applaud fans. The incident took place just as the final whistle blew and some supporters booed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for his error that led to Fulham doubling their lead after six minutes.
Porro’s Outburst
Porro was seen screaming Bergvall’s name, seemingly angered by the young right back’s decision to applaud the home supporters. In response to Porro’s frustration, the 19-year-old started walking around the pitch to show appreciation to remaining fans but did not join his teammates in doing so.
Tottenham Manager’s Reaction
Manager Thomas Frank witnessed the incident and expressed his disappointment with some fans, describing their behavior as “unacceptable.” According to Frank, home supporters who booed Vicario during the match cannot be considered true Tottenham fans. He emphasized that booing after matches is acceptable but not during games.
Tottenham’s Recent Struggles
This latest incident comes in the wake of Tottenham’s recent poor form, having suffered their fourth Premier League defeat in six games. The team has not won a home match since the opening weekend of the season when they beat newly promoted Burnley. This string of results has seen the club lose 10 league matches at home this calendar year under both Frank and his predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Manager’s Response to Fan Behavior
Frank addressed the issue head-on, stating that while it is understandable for fans to be frustrated after prolonged home defeats, their behavior during the game was unacceptable. He maintained that all team members should support each other on the pitch and that booing is only acceptable post-match.
Context and Analysis
The ongoing struggles of Tottenham highlight the growing tension between players and supporters in English football. The incident with Porro and Bergvall underscores how such conflicts can arise from differing views on how to handle fan behavior, especially during tough times for the club.
Manager Frank’s comments reflect a broader issue faced by many clubs: balancing fan expectations with the need to maintain team unity and professionalism on the pitch. The latest row at White Hart Lane adds another layer of complexity to Tottenham’s season as they aim to recover from their recent setbacks.
