West Ham United are set to officially contact the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) to demand further explanation after their stoppage-time equalizer against Arsenal was controversially disallowed on Sunday. The decision has reignited the debate over VAR consistency and carries massive implications for both the Premier League title race and the relegation battle.
The Hammers thought they had snatched a vital point when Callum Wilson scored in the dying minutes, only for VAR to rule it out for a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The Gunners went on to win 1-0, moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top while West Ham slipped to 18th, a point behind Tottenham before their Monday fixture.
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney backed the decision, stating on the Wayne Rooney Show: "It's a clear foul. You can clearly see the arm crosses his face and impacts him getting to the ball." He praised VAR for making the right call in such a high-stakes match.
However, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Rob Green voiced frustration over inconsistency. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: "In isolation, it's a foul. But there have been so many similar incidents this season with different outcomes. That's where the anger comes from."
The controversy centers on whether goalkeepers receive undue protection. Rooney admitted: "I think where VAR is consistent is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it's a foul. I've always disliked that because keepers have a big advantage."
Former assistant referee Darren Cann called it "the biggest VAR call in Premier League history," while ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given highlighted earlier holding incidents in the box, asking: "When does the referee decide which foul to pick?"
The disallowed goal could prove decisive at both ends of the table. For Arsenal, it keeps their title charge on track; for West Ham, it deepens their survival crisis. Manager David Moyes is expected to seek clarification from PGMO as the club prepares its formal complaint.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy defended the VAR process, saying: "Just because it's Arsenal doesn't mean we should distort what we see. It was a clear foul." But the lack of consistency across similar scenarios this season remains a sore point for many observers.
West Ham's relegation rivals will watch the fallout closely. If the club successfully argues that the decision was anomalous, it could influence future calls. For now, the Hammers must focus on their next match while awaiting PGMO's response.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.
