West Ham United will request an explanation from the referees’ body for the disallowed goal against Arsenal that could prove fatal in their battle against relegation.
West Ham thought they had secured a precious equaliser when Callum Wilson struck in stoppage time at the London Stadium, before the goal was ruled out for a foul on David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper.
It took four minutes 17 seconds for the goal to be disallowed for the foul by West Ham striker Pablo, partly because referee Chris Kavanagh watched the replay 17 times on the pitchside monitor.
West Ham want a full explanation from Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and they could request to hear the audio between Kavanagh and Darren England, the VAR.
The defeat left Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in a perilous position in the relegation battle, with 36 points from 36 games. They are one point behind 17th-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who face Leeds United on Monday night.
The decision had a major affect on the title race, too, as the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side extended their lead over Manchester City to five points.
Darren Cann, the former Premier League and international official, described the incident as the “biggest VAR call in Premier League history” and said the correct decision was reached.
“It’s a foul by Pablo holding Raya’s arm, clearly impeding him,” Cann said. “Also, he is having his shirt pulled by Todibo.
“I know it’s a shame for West Ham given the timing, but it is a foul. That is the bottom line.
“The arm is across Raya from Pablo, but crucially he is holding Raya’s arm. The fact he has an arm on the keeper means he can’t catch it and he is clearly impeded.”
‘The players don’t understand it’
Nuno said his players could not understand the decision. “You look at every corner in the Premier League, what’s happening? Something like this,” he said. “Not only today but in all the pitches. What is a foul and what is not a foul? It’s tough. Everybody is confused. The players don’t understand it.”
But Arteta praised the “bravery” and “clarity” of the officials, saying: “Today I have realised how difficult and how big is the referee’s job. Because you are talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives. And the pressure is huge.
“It was a call from the referees that I think is very brave, but very consistent with what they have been talking about all season. So when I have to be critical [of the VAR officials], I have been. Today I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide.
“Away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call. And when you look at the action in that way, I think it is an obvious error. It is a free-kick and the goal has to be disallowed. So, congratulations. Because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.”
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