Referee reveals the ‘real reason’ behind the controversial VAR decision in West Ham vs Arsenal – and it changes everything!
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why West Ham United’s late equaliser against Arsenal was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya, even though several Arsenal players were holding opponents in the penalty area.
On Sunday, Arsenal got closer to winning their first Premier League title in 22 years with a 1-0 win at West Ham, thanks to Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute goal that secured all three points for Mikel Arteta’s team.
West Ham, still in the relegation zone with two games left, thought they had earned a point with a stoppage-time goal from Callum Wilson. But it was ruled out after a VAR review showed a foul on Raya during the play — a decision that has sparked a lot of debate among fans, former players, and referees.
The Premier League Match Centre posted on X: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the goal to West Ham United. Referee announcement: ‘After review, West Ham number 19 [Pablo] commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free-kick.’”
West Ham plan to file a complaint with the PGMOL.
Many noticed that Arsenal players also seemed to foul West Ham players in the crowded penalty area, but Gallagher explained why referee Kavanagh gave the foul against West Ham.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gallagher said: “The officials made the right call. There’s a lot happening and many things to watch. You have to look at the events step by step. Pablo puts his arm across Raya and holds him, without a doubt. Then behind that, Declan Rice and Mavropanos are involved — was that a penalty? Well, if you follow the order, Pablo’s foul happens first, then Rice holds Mavropanos. If there wasn’t a foul on the goalkeeper, then it would be a penalty for Arsenal. But the first foul is definitely by Pablo.”
After the match, Arteta praised the officials for their courage under pressure.
“When I’ve needed to be critical, I have been,” Arteta said. “Today, I want to congratulate the VAR team. They showed a lot of bravery to step in and allow the referee to check the play. The picture clearly shows the foul. The officials were very brave, and the rules are the rules — we ask for consistency.”
On the other hand, West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo disagreed, saying referees often get confused with important VAR decisions.
“There’s a referee and VAR, and similar situations have been judged differently before,” he said. “Even the referees don’t always know what counts as a foul, which causes doubt. You see this happening in every corner of the Premier League, not just today. The lack of consistency is frustrating for players and fans alike. It’s up to the referees and VAR to fix it, but right now they confuse themselves.”
West Ham will next play away at Newcastle on May 17, while Arsenal host Burnley on May 18.