Champions League: Angry Antonio Conte leaves a press conference after just one question
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur's header salvaged a 1-1 draw against Sporting to keep the London club in charge of Champions League Group D on Wednesday. However, the game finished in chaos as Harry Kane's last-gasp goal was disallowed
Should Antonio Conte stop complaining?Harry Kane believed that his sweep finishes off Emerson Royal's knockdown had guaranteed Spurs' progress into the knockout stages.
Spurs believed they had come from behind to defeat the Portuguese team and go to the Champions League quarterfinals. However, after a three-minute VAR review, Makkelie awarded Sporting Lisbon a free kick because Kane was in an offside position.
Coach Antonio Conte fumes at officials for controversial VAR
Conte acknowledged that his team performed poorly in the first half but questioned whether the VAR call would have been made against one of Europe's powerhouses.
"Really upset" Antonio Conte was infuriated by the decision to disallow Harry Kane's late game-winning goal in Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon, leaving his press conference after answering only one question.
"All the people came onto the pitch, and then the referee decided to send me off," Conte said. There are moments where you can understand you have just disallowed a shared goal because the ball is in front of Kane.
"You know that I don't comment on the referee's decision but the VAR this season in the Premier League and the Champions League, we are not so lucky," he continued.
"I think it creates a big damage. I'd like to see this type of decision with a top team in an important game, I'd like to see if the VAR is so brave to take this decision - I repeat an unfair decision because the ball is in front of Kane."
Tottenham entered the match having suffered consecutive Premier League losses, which halted their early-season momentum.
They were sluggish in possession and clumsy in an attack against Sporting in the first half, and the visitors dominated.
In the 22nd minute, though, they fell behind as former Spurs player Marcus Edwards was afforded time to line up his effort and beat Hugo Lloris with a left-footed shot.
Tottenham's second-half performance improved considerably, as Eric Dier, Son Heung-min, and Doherty all made impressive saves against Sporting's goalkeeper, Antonio Adan.
The result put Tottenham on top of the group with eight points, followed by Sporting and Eintracht Frankfurt, who defeated Marseille 2-1, on seven points. Marseille has six points.
Conte's squad must avoid defeat at Marseille next week to qualify for the knockout round, while Sporting's reprieve allows them to advance still.
When Sporting hosts Frankfurt, both teams need a point to reach the knockout round. Conversely, if Tottenham loses to France, they will be out of the competition.