The full transcript of the West Ham vs Arsenal incident has been shared after some heated audio was made public.
Here’s a friendly and easy-to-understand version of the text:
The full transcript of the VAR check for West Ham’s disallowed goal against Arsenal has just been released, and people are still talking about one of the most important decisions in Premier League history.
On Sunday afternoon, Arsenal got closer to winning the league after a late goal from Leandro Trossard helped them take all three points at the London Stadium.
The match was very controversial. In the last seconds, it looked like West Ham had scored a 95th-minute equalizer when Callum Wilson hit the net after a corner. But the referee, Chris Kavanagh, canceled the goal after VAR official Darren England suggested they review the play on the field.
VAR found a foul on Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya during the build-up. Replays showed Jean-Clair Todibo pulling Raya’s shirt, and Pablo leaned into Raya’s neck with his arm as he tried to catch the corner.
Even three days later, fans are still debating the incident, with some saying there were fouls from both teams before Wilson’s goal.
On Tuesday evening, a new episode of “Match Officials Mic’d Up” aired featuring Howard Webb, the head of PGMOL (the referees’ group). It included audio from the VAR team during that key moment.
Webb praised the decision to overturn West Ham’s goal. He said Pablo’s foul on goalkeeper Raya was “clear and obvious.”
He explained, “Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Absolutely yes. All season long, including before games even start, we remind players that if a goalkeeper’s arms or hands are grabbed or held, stopping them from doing their job, that’s a foul that must be punished.
“This isn’t just normal contact— it’s very specific. When the goalkeeper’s arms or hands are stopped, they can’t catch or punch the ball properly.
“From the best angles, you can clearly see Pablo doing this. It happens early, and even though the referee can’t clearly see it on the field because so many players are crowded around, the VAR officials have to step in once they spot it.”
Here’s the full transcript of their talk during the VAR check:
VAR Darren England: Possible foul on keeper. Watch has gone.
AVAR Akil Howson: Goal given.
AR1 Dan Cook: I don’t see any foul on the goalkeeper.
REF Chris Kavanagh: On-field decision is goal.
VAR: Checking goal decision. Let’s watch carefully. So, the keeper then… just a shot. Possible foul on Raya.
AVAR: Yeah, to check if he has the ball in his hand.
VAR: Need a tighter angle on the goalkeeper, please.
Replay Operator: Okay.
VAR: Slow it down frame by frame. Looks like a foul. The left arm holding Raya’s arm. It’s stopping him reaching the ball properly.
Replay Operator: Got a pole cam angle.
VAR: Bring that up.
AVAR: Raya is getting held…
VAR: Just checking again, possible foul on goalkeeper.
AVAR: Look behind him too.
VAR: Yeah. Let’s go back to the original angle.
Replay Operator: Do you want to see full speed?
VAR: Yes, please. Impactful on goalkeeper? Let’s go to the second angle again.
Replay Operator: Sure.
AVAR: Can you show split screen with both angles?
VAR: Yes, that and the first angle.
Replay Operator: Goal line?
VAR: No, just those two, thanks.
AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball. But the contact is impactful. What about his actions on the same player? And Declan Rice’s behind?
VAR: He still gets a hand to the ball though.
AVAR: Your first opinion watching it?
VAR: We should send the ref for an on-field review for the foul on the keeper and for other incidents while he’s there.
REF: Okay.
VAR: Chris, I recommend an on-field review for a foul on the goalkeeper plus other incidents at the monitor.
REF: Okay.
VAR: Here’s a possible foul—Pablo’s left arm holding Raya’s left arm as he tries to win the ball.
REF: Yes, I can see the holding clearly.
VAR: Also showing other angles of players, Trossard on Pablo and Declan Rice on Mavropanos.
REF: Looks like nothing there, I’m happy with that.
VAR: Okay.
REF: After review, West Ham number 19 fouled the goalkeeper. Final decision: free kick to Arsenal.
And that’s how the goal was ruled out!