Tottenham manager Martin Ho expressed his frustration regarding the need for improved support for Women's Super League referees following a contentious penalty decision in their derby loss to Arsenal. The match, held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Gunners, thanks to Alessia Russo's penalty awarded in the 56th minute.

The controversial decision stemmed from a sequence where Lisa Baum's shot struck the post, and a clearance from Cathinka Tandberg inadvertently hit Spurs teammate Ella Morris' hand. According to the rules, if a ball hits a player's hand after being played by a teammate, it typically results in an indirect free-kick, not a penalty.

Ho articulated his interpretation of the rules, stating:

If your teammate hits it and your teammate is one yard away, time and distance are taken into account, and it's not a penalty.

• He highlighted that this interpretation was communicated during the preseason referee's meeting.

Despite seeking clarification on the pitch, Ho noted that officials were unable to provide an explanation for the decision. He expressed his intent to discuss the matter with referees post-match to gain insight into their perspective.

Ho concluded by emphasizing the frustration that arises when such pivotal decisions influence the outcome of a game, particularly when they appear to contradict the established laws of the sport.