North London rivals Mauricio Pochettino and Arsene Wenger joined forces to criticise the decision to remove Kevin Friend from title-chasing Tottenham's crucial Premier League clash against Stoke.

Friend was due to take charge of Tottenham's trip to the Britannia Stadium on Monday but was taken off the game after Spurs supporters protested on social media that the official was a fan of leaders Leicester.

With Tottenham seven points behind Leicester in the title race, it was decided to avoid any suspicion of potential bias and Neil Swarbrick will now referee Tottenham's fixture, while Friend has been moved to Manchester United's game against Aston Villa.

However, Arsenal manager Wenger said on Friday he felt the decision was wrong because it questions the professionalism of referees.

"I'm completely against that. The referees are professional people. You're supposed to be impartial whatever happens," Wenger said.

"I was always against this rule. I believe that, on some level, someone doesn't believe completely that the referee is not impartial (sic). It surprises me that that happens.

"Social media shouldn't dictate the rules or what happens to a referee. People at the top level have the responsibility to make these decisions. I'm surprised and disappointed."

And just hours later, Tottenham boss Pochettino followed Wenger's blast by admitting he was also surprised at the change.

"We never complain and I want to say we trust in all the referees but I think we need to trust," Pochettino said.

"In some point I agree with Arsene. It is important to keep the integrity of the referee and always back the referee.

"They are human and can make mistakes like us but it is important next time to behave naturally and to show the referee the trust and respect.

"Then whatever happens in the game, on the pitch we are human and can make mistake and not because something is going on behind."