West Ham are ready to take action after a late equalizer was prevented by VAR intervention in Sunday’s shock Premier League game against Arsenal.
West Ham players confront referee Chris Kavanagh after a late goal against Arsenal was ruled out by VAR (Image: Mark Atkins)
West Ham are believed to have lodged a complaint with the PGMO after their late equalizer in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was disallowed due to VAR intervention.
The Hammers, who started the game in the relegation zone, thought they had picked up a valuable point in their battle to avoid conceding when Callum Wilson scored from a corner kick in the 95th minute. However, the celebrations were short-lived as VAR checked the goal and recommended an on-field review after a foul on David Raya was discovered.
Wilson’s shot was then chalked away by referee Chris Kavanagh, leaving West Ham scoreless and Arsenal on the verge of winning their first Premier League title in 22 years.
The Times reports that the decision was highly debated given the magnitude of the match, with West Ham prepared to lodge a formal complaint against the decision which brought them so close to being relegated.
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The report outlines that it took match officials more than four minutes to decide that Wilson’s goal was disallowed. Kavanagh is also said to have watched the incident on a pitchside monitor 17 times after being advised to review the goal.
West Ham believe that incidents that take this long to reach a decision do not meet the threshold of clear error for VAR to intervene.
West Ham were adjudged to have fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya before scoring (Image: Getty)
The East London side, who sit just one point ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League table, can also request to hear the conversation between Kavanagh and Darren England, who was appointed as VAR officer for the match.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised the courage of the referees who prevented the goal, but manager Nuno Espirito Santo took a different view after the game. “They have to work it out. They have to come to the club and explain the reasons behind the different decisions,” he said.
“We are upset and sad. This can’t happen. Everyone is confused. The players don’t understand it. This has happened over the last few seasons and even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul. There are a lot of questions and speculations about this.”
Jarrod Bowen also questioned the decision, saying: “If you look at some decisions long enough you’ll find something to give and that’s what ended up happening. Corners, physicality, Premier League. There’s going to be contact and scuffles. There’s a lot of holding and grappling in the box. Are we going to look at those every time and give them penalties?”
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