West Ham to Contact PGMO Over Arsenal VAR Controversy
West Ham United are set to contact the referees’ body, the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), after their injury-time equaliser against Arsenal was controversially disallowed on Sunday.
The Hammers thought they had rescued a point when Callum Wilson struck late on, but after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
West Ham will formally raise concerns with PGMO and request clarification, including access to the audio exchange between referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Darren England.
The decision proved pivotal, as Arsenal held on for a 1-0 win that extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while West Ham remain in the relegation zone.
Wayne Rooney backed the officials, saying: ‘It’s a clear foul… the arm crosses his face and impacts him getting to the ball. VAR did a really good job in such an important game.’
Rooney, however, lamented the advantage goalkeepers enjoy, noting: ‘You go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul. I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason.’
