TOTTENHAM demanded their goalposts were changed before their Europa League win… because they were too small.
The Spurs goalkeepers noticed the low crossbar during the warm-up in Macedonia and alerted boss Jose Mourinho, who in turn flagged the issue to officials.
Tottenham complained to Uefa because Shkendija’s goals were too small for the Europa League qualifierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mourinho said: “Before the game was a funny situation because my goalkeeper told me the goal was small.
“I went to see and it was small. The goalkeepers spend all their time in them so we know.
“I felt immediately something was wrong and we got the Uefa delegate to come in and it was 5cm too small. We asked for goals of the right dimensions.”
The Spurs boss then took to Instagram to share pictures of himself and Hugo Lloris reaching up to the bar.
He joked: “I thought I had grown but then I realised the goal was 5 centimetres lower.”
Rule 1.10 of Ifab’s Laws of the Game details the exact dimensions of full-size goals – with smaller versions permitted for smaller-sided and junior football.
It reads: “The distance between the inside of the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).
“The goalposts and the crossbar must be white and have the same width and depth, which must not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).”
The Spurs boss went and checked the goals out for himself and could almost touch the crossbar Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Mourinho had substitute Harry Kane to thank for sealing the victory in Macedonia Credit: Reuters
Erik Lamela opened the scoring early on before Joe Hart was beaten by a thunder strike after half-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Spurs ran out 3-1 winners over Shkendija with Son Heung-min and Harry Kane sparing their side’s blushes with second-half goals.
Erik Lamela had put the visitors in front after five minutes before Valmir Nafiu cancelled it out with a brilliant strike after the break.
But Son and Kane came to the rescue – continuing their rampant form from Sunday’s thrashing at Southampton.
Son put Tottenham back in front by lashing the ball in after it fell to him inside the box.
And Kane wrapped up the win by leaping high to head home.
Jose Mourinho extends press conference to talk to journalist whose late dad idolised Tottenham boss
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
