Gary Neville calls out ‘absolute shambles’ as Tottenham vs Arsenal stopped twice

The North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham was suspended for seven minutes due to a technology failure on the officials’ part, and Gary Neville was not impressed

Gary Neville condemned the decisions to halt Sunday’s North London Derby following technical difficulties with the officials’ equipment.

Referee Peter Bankes brought proceedings to a standstill after just seven minutes, despite an electrifying opening period.

The interruption deflated the atmosphere, leaving those in attendance inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium somewhat bewildered.

The game was then stopped once again before the second half as the officials team struggled with another technical issue which caused another lengthy delay to the start of the second period.

And former Manchester United defender Neville was quick to share vent his frustrations on commentary for Sky Sports.

He said: “This is ridiculous, the whole game cannot stop just because of an IT issue – this is an absolute nonsense, one of the most important games of the season and the players all now have to reset. This is an absolute nonsense.

“One of the most important games of the season, fantastic start to it, really quick. And we’re now two or three minutes stopped, players having to sort of re-warm up again, reset. Absolute shambles.

“They haven’t got the common sense or the authority, leadership, to go, ‘come on, let’s read the room here.’ There’s 62,000 people in this stadium, there’s millions watching at home and do they really think it’s that important that they can’t find some form of communication with the linesman over on the far side?

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“Put your flag up if you’re going to make a decision or you want to speak to him.”

However, whilst Neville voiced his anger, fellow analyst Clinton Morrison argued the stoppage actually benefited Spurs, who had been facing mounting pressure during the early exchanges.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “This is doing Tottenham a massive favour as Arsenal are on top. Igor Tudor can have a word with some of his players.”

Play eventually resumed following a seven-minute stoppage.

The Gunners desperately required three points going into the fixture, having been frustrated by Wolves during the midweek encounter, while Manchester City reduced the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table to just two points following Saturday evening’s win over Newcastle.

Tottenham’s requirement for maximum points was equally pressing, with the North London outfit having been pulled into a fight to retain their Premier League status.

Eberechi Eze had put Arsenal ahead with his fourth strike against Spurs this term 32 minutes into the fixture, before Randal Kolo Muani responded with an equaliser shortly afterwards.

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