Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said James Maddison should have been sent off for "punching Ryan Yates in the stomach" during Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Maddison caught Yates just before half-time with the score level at 1-1.
Referee Simon Hooper spoke to both Maddison and Yates but did not card either player, with the video assistant referee (VAR) not intervening.
"It's a red card," Nuno told BBC Match of the Day.
"I was surprised VAR didn't [send Maddison off]. Maddison lost composure and punched Yates in the stomach.
"What they saw clearly is not the same as we saw.