Tottenham Hotspur fans who traveled to watch the club face Newcastle United at St. James Park were quickly disappointed when Tottenham allowed five goals in the opening 21 minutes on Sunday. The match unfolded into a 6-1 defeat — a loss so bad, players offered to reimburse fans as a consolation Tuesday.
"As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn't good enough. We know words aren't enough in situations like this but believe us, a defeat like this hurts," the players said in a statement released via Tottenham's social media.
The players have a message for our fans who went to Newcastle on Sunday... pic.twitter.com/HFfmo8R2iH
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2023
"We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James' Park.
The detrimental loss came during the club's fight to keep its Champions League qualification chances alive during an already tumultuous time.
Tottenham split with manager Antonio Conte by "mutual agreement" in March after just 76 matches. The decision came eight days after Conte called Tottenham players "selfish" who "don't want to help each other and don't put their heart into" the game following Spurs' 3-3 draw against Southampton on March 18.
Cristian Stellini, who was hired to take Conte's place through the rest of the season, was fired on Monday — a day after the loss to Newcastle. After Stellini notched just one win in four games, Ryan Mason was placed in charge.
Following the apology and reimbursement offer, Tottenham introduced a new Fans Advisory Board, organized to increase fan engagement and promote fan-centric decisions.
The board will be made up of elected members, who will cover topics including “strategic vision and objectives,” along with matchday issues and stadium plans.
"We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right, starting against Manchester United on Thursday evening when, again, your support will mean everything to us. Together — and only together — can we move things forward."
The Spurs are fifth in the Premier League and six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, having played two games more. They host United on Thursday with Mason set to assume his interim role.
