Tottenham captain Cristian Romero could be set for a longer spell on the sidelines after being handed an additional FA charge for his behaviour during last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool after receiving a red card.
The Argentine defender was sent off in stoppage time of Spurs’ 2-1 loss in north London, and the new charge means his suspension could now extend beyond the standard one-match ban.
A development in the Romero case
Romero received a second yellow card late in the match and is already ruled out of Sunday, December 28’s English Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
However, the FA has now accused him of improper conduct after the dismissal. They claim he failed to leave the pitch promptly and acted aggressively towards referee John Brooks.
An FA statement confirmed the charge and outlined the allegations.
“Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero has been charged following their Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday 20 December,” it read.
“It’s alleged that he acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after being sent off in the 93rd minute.
“Cristian Romero has until Friday, 2 January 2026 to respond.”
Image: Paul Hudson, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Tricky timing for Tottenham
The timing of the charge could create problems for Tottenham, who already face a difficult run of fixtures over the festive and New Year period.
Romero’s response deadline falls a day after Spurs travel to Brentford on New Year’s Day. If the FA chooses to impose a longer ban, he could miss more than just the Crystal Palace match.
From there, Tottenham’s schedule remains packed. They host Sunderland at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 4, before travelling to Bournemouth on January 7, with both fixtures also live on Sky Sports.
The following week, focus turns to the FA Cup as Thomas Frank’s side host Aston Villa in the third round on January 10. They then return to league action for a London derby against West Ham on January 17.
Romero’s potential absence would be a major blow for Frank, who has relied heavily on the centre-back’s leadership this season.
While the defender is known for his aggressive and front-foot style of defending, discipline has been an ongoing concern. His latest dismissal adds to a growing list of incidents since arriving in England.
Tottenham will hope the situation does not escalate further, but Romero’s reaction after the sending off is at the centre of the charge, and the FA’s wording suggests a serious view has been taken.
If an extended suspension is issued, it could force Frank to reshuffle his back line during a demanding stage of the campaign.
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