Footage emerges of Jermaine Jenas calling for ‘no more abuse’ against officials and telling players ‘to do better’ in July… before BBC presenter and pundit hit out at ‘sh**house referee’ during the north London derby
- Jenas fronted an FA campaign video calling for greater respect in the game
- He ranted on social media after Arsenal were awarded a penalty against Spurs
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Jermaine Jenas made his X-rated rant at a ‘sh**house’ referee just weeks after fronting a Football Association campaign calling for officials to be shown greater respect.
The former Tottenham footballer turned BBC One Show presenter raged at Arsenal being awarded a penalty in Sunday afternoon’s north London derby.
Spurs defender Cristian Romero was penalised for handball following the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee [VAR] after referee Rob Jones had initially waved away Arsenal’s appeals.
Bukayo Saka converted the spot-kick to put Arsenal 2-1 ahead and Jenas posted on X: ‘Complete sh**house off [sic] a referee! They’re all ruining the our [sic] game!’
When a fan responded to Jenas that he would feel differently if it was an Arsenal player committing the handball offence, he replied: ‘I wouldn’t at all and it’ll happen to Arsenal at some point this year! If it takes that long after watching it over and over… then it’s not a pen.’
Jermaine Jenas fronted a campaign ahead of the season calling for referees to be shown greater respect – but that didn’t stop him tweeting about ‘sh**house referees ruining the game’ during Sunday’s north London derby
The former Tottenham midfielder was incensed when Arsenal were awarded a second-half penalty for handball, given by the Video Assistant Referee, in the 2-2 draw
Cristian Romero was penalised for this handball offence, with Bukayo Saka scoring the penalty
Jenas posted this on social media in the aftermath, saying referees are ‘ruining our game’
https://youtube.com/watch?v=GUlVxt-DTs0%3Frel%3D0%26start%3D3
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Others were quick to point out Jenas’s hypocrisy after he was the face of the FA’s ‘Love Football, Protect the Game’ campaign just before the beginning of the season.
The initiative was launched collectively by the FA, the Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, non-league steps 1-4 and referees’ body PGMOL.
In a launch video, Jenas says: ‘The emotions of the game get to us all. I know all about that.
‘But whether out on the pitch, in the stands or on the sidelines, we’ve all got to do better, at all levels.
‘No more surrounding refs, no more abuse, no more intimidation, no more discrimination.’
Former England midfielder Jenas, 40, was also blasted by charity RefsupportUK.
They wrote on X: ‘This is a disgraceful tweet and you should be ashamed. Your tweet encourages online abuse of referee and considering your role on TV your employers need to give their head a wobble.
Jenas made his claims on X (fka Twitter), claiming it will be an issue for Arsenal this year too
The charity RefsupportUK blasted Jenas for his ‘disgraceful tweet’
Jenas (left) is a regular host on BBC’s The One Show along with Alex Jones (c) and Roman Kemp
‘Remember Anthony Taylor and his family were attacked at an airport because of antics such as yours.’
Premier League official Taylor and his family were harassed and abused by a mob of Roma supporters at Budapest Airport following the Europa League final in May.
It came after Roma coach Jose Mourinho described Taylor as a ‘f***ing disgrace’ for his ‘bull**** decisions’ after they lost on penalties to Sevilla.
Taylor and those with him had to be ushered into a back room by security with a chair among items thrown in his direction.
Jenas’s mood at least would have been soothed after Son Heung-min drew Tottenham level at 2-2 just moments after Saka converted Arsenal’s penalty – with the derby finishing all-square.
Similarly Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou quipped post-match that ‘armless defenders’ are required to circumvent the law which issues penalties for handballs.
Referee Anthony Taylor was ambushed by furious Roma supporters at the airport in Budapest following the Europa League final back in May
Police officers were forced to step in and corral Taylor and his family into a private room
He said: ‘I couldn’t see it but I’ve got no idea about the handball rule. I really don’t. I saw the one at Wolves and it just seems if it hits your hand it’s a penalty, and then other times if it hits your hand, it isn’t a penalty. I’ve got no idea. It is the one rule in the game I just don’t understand.
‘Unless we start developing armless defenders I don’t know how you are supposed to block things and be in a natural position.’
Tottenham, who sit fourth in the Premier League table on 14 points, host second-placed Liverpool next Saturday, before a trip to Luton Town seven days later.
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