Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has launched a fierce defence of his goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, branding the fans who booed him during the 2-1 home defeat to Fulham as not being 'true fans'.
Vicario's Costly Error Sparks Backlash
The incident occurred at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when a mistake from Vicario led to Harry Wilson scoring, allowing Fulham to double their lead within just six minutes. Following the error, sections of the home crowd directed jeers at the Italian goalkeeper every time he subsequently touched the ball.
This early setback left Spurs with a mountain to climb. Although Mohammed Kudus managed to pull a goal back after half-time, sparking an improved second-half performance, the team could not find an equaliser, resulting in another disappointing loss.
Frank's Strong Reaction to Fan Behaviour
While acknowledging the supporters' right to voice their frustration with the team's overall performance, which was met with loud boos at both half-time and full-time, Frank drew a firm line at the targeting of an individual player.
"I didn't like that our fans booed at him straight after and a few times he touched the ball," Frank stated in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. He was unequivocal in his assessment of those involved, adding, "They can't be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch."
Frank emphasised the collective effort of the team, stating, "We do everything we can to perform." He clarified that while criticism after the final whistle might be acceptable, singling out a player during the match crossed a line. "After, fair enough, boo, no problem. But not during. That's unacceptable in my opinion," he concluded.
A Deepening Crisis for Spurs
This defeat adds to a miserable run of form for Tottenham. The club has now failed to secure a Premier League victory at home since the opening weekend of the season. This latest loss compounds a difficult week for Frank's side, which also saw them defeated by rivals Arsenal and French giants PSG.
The atmosphere around the club is one of growing discontent, with the reaction towards Vicario highlighting the fractious mood among the fanbase as the team's struggles continue.
