Leeds denied penalty as Fernandes handball unchecked
Tottenham midfielder Mateus Fernandes appeared to handle the ball deliberately in today’s Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road, but the VAR check did not overturn the incident, leaving the match dead‑locked at 0‑0 as the two sides remain evenly poised.
Fernandes has impressed for Spurs since arriving from West Ham United in the summer.
Fernandes' background and the incident
The handball, occurring at Elland Road, looked a clear moment of madness.
Video shows him leaping towards the ball with his arm outstretched before deflecting it.
Although the camera angle is limited, the contact appears below the shoulder, which under the rules would constitute a handball and a penalty for Leeds.
A tweet from @caughtoffside on 7 November 2026 condemned the decision, calling Premier League refereeing standards an absolute joke.
The post also included pictures supplied by.
While Fernandes is regarded as a fine player with many positives, the episode suggested a deliberate attempt to cheat that went unpunished.
Tottenham and Leeds remain delicately poised, with the game still at 0‑0.
Both sides are evenly matched, so the incident could prove hugely decisive.
Leeds, coached by Daniel Farke, will be furious if Tottenham secure victory, as the missed penalty could have given them an early advantage.
Nevertheless, Leeds are no pushovers at home, meaning the contest is far from decided.