Howard Webb speaks out on Tottenham referee controversy - 'Should it really matter'

Tottenham Hotspur have seen their fair share of disappointment this season, with Howard Webb now speaking about how VAR has actually come to their aid

Neco Williams' goal against Tottenham Hotspur which was ruled out for handball last month would have stood if Howard Webb had his way.

Spurs drew with Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, September 5, but could have kept all three points by the Trent had VAR have not ruled out what would have been a decisive goal from Williams.

The defender bundled the ball home 67 minutes into play, only for Peter Bankes to rule out the strike due to an accidental handball, Williams covering his head amid pressure from Sandro Tonali on the goal line before the ball hit the back of the net.

However, Webb - who is the chief refereeing officer for Pro Ref - doesn't feel as though those upstairs should have got involved, and instead, have trusted Craig Pawson's judgement.

Speaking with The Times, the 55-year-old former Premier League official said: "But he’s not put it in deliberately. Should it really matter if it brushes Williams’s arm?

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"You’re forcing VAR to be inherent when you shouldn’t. That’s why in the Premier League we have a slight tolerance for offside. It’s wonderful, it’s beautiful, it benefits the attacking team."

That assessment may not be welcomed by Spurs fans, who have seen their fair share of struggles in 2026/27 thus far.

Under Roberto De Zerbi's stewardship, the north London outfit sit rock bottom of the Premier League standings, having failed to win a single match this season.

The side have suffered defeat to Brentford, Newcastle United and Aston Villa, while also settling for draws with Forest, Everton or Manchester United, boasting just three points from six matches.

That's despite massive expectations from fans of the club as a result of the first-team overhaul completed by De Zerbi this summer - with high-profile arrivals like Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio and Omar Marmoush arriving in north London.

The head coach will have ample opportunity to turn the tide at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 8pm on Monday evening, however, when Spurs play host to Premier League new boys, Coventry City.

Unfortunately, it's not the best time for the club to do battle with Frank Lampard's outfit, given the Sky Blues have recently started to find their stride in the English top flight.

Coventry managed a 1-0 win over Forest at the City Ground in the build-up to the late September international break, before putting Newcastle to the sword 4-1 on Monday evening.