Referees’ chief says disallowing Hammers goal against Arsenal ‘categorically’ right
London, United Kingdom — Referees’ chief Howard Webb has said disallowing what would have been a key West Ham equaliser during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal was a “categorically” correct decision and “a good use of VAR”.
The Hammers trailed to Leandro Trossard’s late strike at the London Stadium, but appeared to have rescued a last-gasp draw when Callum Wilson fired home after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya dropped the ball.
West Ham’s celebrations were curtailed, however, by a prolonged intervention from VAR Darren England that ended with referee Chris Kavanagh changing his decision, ruling Pablo had fouled Raya, after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
Arguably the most important VAR decision yet seen in the Premier League helped leaders Arsenal go five points clear at the top of the table, with two games to play, and left West Ham in the relegation zone.
The Hammers are reported to have contacted referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) to raise their concerns.
But Webb, the chief refereeing officer at PGMO, had no doubt the officials were right in finally ruling Pablo had committed a clear and obvious foul.
“Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes,” said Webb.
“We’ve said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can’t do their job, they’ll be penalised.”
He added: “We’re not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we’re talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper’s arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.
“On the video, it’s clear and it’s obvious and it happens early. And, even though it’s not clear and obvious to the referee because he’s got a huge group of players in a penalty area and it’s difficult to see, when the VAR sees this, of course, they have to get involved.”
The foul on Raya was part of a sequence where various players were grappling, pulling and pushing one another in what has become a familiar sight at corners and free-kicks this season.
“We’ve penalised more holding penalties than we did last year, but we’ve missed some as well,” said Webb.
“Not like this, though, where the goalkeeper’s arms are being interfered with. This is different and this is why this one is a clear offence and a good use of VAR.”
