Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero could be facing an extended suspension after being charged by the Football Association for his conduct following his red card against Liverpool last Saturday.

The Argentina international was sent off during Spurs’ 2–1 defeat at Anfield after receiving a second yellow card for kicking out at Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté. Referee John Brooks dismissed Romero in the closing stages of the match, leaving Tottenham with just nine players.

Spurs had already been reduced to 10 men earlier in the contest, with Xavi Simons shown a straight red card for serious foul play in the first half.

Romero’s first booking came after Liverpool’s second goal, when he was cautioned for dissent after protesting that he had been pushed by goalscorer Hugo Ekitike in the build-up.

The red card carries an automatic one-match suspension, ruling Romero out of Sunday’s Premier League clash away to Crystal Palace. However, the FA has now charged the defender with failing to leave the pitch promptly and behaving in an “aggressive” manner after his dismissal — an offence that could result in further punishment.

Romero has until January 2 to respond to the charge. If found guilty, he could miss additional fixtures, with Tottenham set to face Brentford on New Year’s Day, Sunderland on January 4 and Bournemouth three days later.

In a statement, the FA said:

“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.”

Romero went into the match having already collected seven Premier League bookings this season. Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank was critical of referee Brooks, insisting Romero should not have been cautioned for the earlier incident.

“There is a massive mistake by John on the pitch,” Frank said.
“Two hands on the back by Ekitike — I don’t understand how he didn’t see it. We have VAR to help in those situations, and it didn’t.”

The Danish coach added:
“If the referee had done his job there, then it wouldn’t have been a first yellow for Romero. I think that’s fair to say. He’s an extremely passionate player, and sometimes that takes you right to the line.”

The defeat left Tottenham languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, increasing pressure on Frank, who took charge in June following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.