Slavia Prague Manager Jindřich Trpišovský Blames Referee for Spurs Defeat, Claims “Two Decisions Broke Us” in Fiery Post-Match Outburst

Slavia Prague manager Jindřich Trpišovský delivered a blistering critique of the match officials on Tuesday night after his side fell to a 3–0 Champions League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, insisting that two crucial refereeing decisions “broke” his team and left them “without a fair chance” to fight for a result.

Tottenham, playing at home, secured victory through a first-half own goal and two second-half penalties  dispatched by Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons  in a result that strengthened their position in the group. But while Spurs supporters celebrated a comfortable win, Trpišovský used his post-match press conference to spotlight what he believed were “decisive and damaging” calls by the referee that changed the complexion of the contest.

The Czech manager, known for his usually measured and analytical approach, spoke with an uncommon level of frustration, repeatedly questioning the standard of officiating and alleging that his players were treated with “less respect” than their Premier League opponents.

“This is not Champions League refereeing”  Trpišovský explodes

Trpišovský began his press conference with a lengthy statement before any journalist could ask a question.

> “Tonight, what we saw was not Champions League refereeing,” he said sharply. “The referee made decisions that altered the match completely. When you are away from home, you already need to be perfect to compete. But when decisions like these go against you, you have no chance.”

His biggest anger was directed at the first penalty, awarded early in the second half at a moment when Slavia were beginning to restore their structure and grow into the match. A slight touch in the box was enough for the referee to point to the spot a call that Trpišovský described as “difficult to understand”.

> “There was minimal contact  absolutely minimal,” he insisted. “The Tottenham player is already falling before our defender even reacts. To give a penalty for that, at this level, is unbelievable. VAR looked at it and still agreed. I honestly don’t know what they were seeing.”

Trpišovský said the moment “changed everything”, claiming his players felt “deflated but angry” once the first penalty went in.

Claims of double standards: “We never received the same treatment”

The Slavia boss went further, criticising what he perceived as a lack of consistency throughout the match. He claimed his team were denied fouls in similar situations and suggested that Tottenham were afforded immediate whistles that Slavia did not receive.

> “There were two sets of rules tonight,” he said. “If a Tottenham player goes down, the whistle comes instantly. If my player is fouled, the game continues. You cannot play football that way. The rules must be the same for both teams.”

He pointed to several instances where Slavia players appealed for fouls or advantage only for play to continue, often resulting in quick Tottenham counter-attacks.

> “We were punished not only by decisions against us, but by the referee ignoring clear fouls,” he explained. “You try to stay calm, but it wears on the players mentally.”

His comments echoed the visible tension on the pitch. Slavia players surrounded the referee after the awarding of the second penalty, which Simons converted to make it 3–0 and effectively end the contest. Trpišovský defended their reactions, saying the emotional response was “a natural result of repeated frustration”.

> “My players are proud. They fight for this club with everything they have,” he said. “If they feel they are treated unfairly, of course they will react. I would be more worried if they stayed silent.”

Tottenham dismiss the claims

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, in contrast, spoke calmly and avoided engaging in the controversy directly. He praised his team’s performance and insisted both penalties were correctly awarded.

“From where I stood, both calls were penalties,” Frank said. “VAR checked them

that’s how the system works. I understand emotions run high, but we focus on our game and we did our job well.”

Frank highlighted Tottenham’s control, especially in the second half, and praised Simons and Kudus for their composure from the spot. He also pointed to Spurs’ defensive structure, which limited Slavia’s chances and allowed them to push forward confidently after the second goal.

> “We managed the game, we stayed calm, and we deserved the win,” Frank concluded, refusing to be drawn into talk about officiating standards.

Slavia’s internal frustration  but no official UEFA complaint expected

Despite the public fury, sources close to Slavia Prague confirmed there are no immediate plans to file a formal complaint to UEFA. Clubs rarely submit such protests except in extreme or procedural circumstances.

However, the atmosphere inside Slavia’s camp was described by insiders as “heavy, frustrated, and disappointed”. One senior official, speaking anonymously, said the players felt “the match was slipping away from them not because of their performance, but because of external factors”.

> “The mood in the dressing room was bitter,” the source said. “They felt they were punished unfairly. You could sense the frustration.”

The defeat leaves Slavia with an uphill battle to qualify from the group, though their hopes remain mathematically alive.

Trpišovský stands by his words: “We were not beaten only by football”

Before departing the stadium, Trpišovský was asked whether he feared disciplinary action for his explosive remarks. He answered bluntly.

> “If telling the truth brings punishment, then so be it,” he said. “We were not beaten only by Tottenham tonight. We were beaten by decisions that should not happen in this competition.”

Yet the manager ended on a defiant note, promising that his team would not allow the controversy to derail their campaign.

> “We will respond,” he said. “We will fight in the final group match, and we will show our character. But all we ask is to be allowed to compete on equal terms.”

With pressure mounting and qualification on the line, Slavia now face a test not only of quality but of resilience  and

Trpišovský made it clear he believes his team deserve a fairer fight in the matches to come.