PGMOL chief issues official verdict on controversial VAR call in West Ham vs Arsenal

Chief Refereeing Officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), Howard Webb, has issued an official verdict on the controversial VAR decision which saw West Ham have a late goal disallowed, handing Arsenal a 1–0 win at the London Stadium.

On Sunday (May 10), Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute strike was enough to see Arsenal go five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with just two matches remaining.

But the game was not without drama, as second-half substitute Callum Wilson thought he had equalised for West Ham in stoppage time, only for the strike to be ruled out for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by Pablo.

Referee Chris Kavanagh was advised by VAR Darren England to look at the pitchside monitor before awarding the decision in Arsenal’s favour.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praised the official’s bravery in his post-match press conference, while West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo was less complimentary, suggesting referees “confuse themselves” when making crucial VAR calls.

Several pundits, including Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney, have praised the referee’s call, while former Premier League goalkeepers Shay Given and Peter Schmeichel did not share the same view and criticised the decision.

Howard Webb issues official verdict on West Ham vs Arsenal VAR decision

Now, Webb has set the record straight on whether the decision to rule out Wilson’s goal was correct.

Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, he explained how the challenge on Raya warranted a foul in Arsenal’s favour.

"Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes," Webb said.

"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.

"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.

"Raya can't do what he would normally do in that situation, simply catch the ball or punch the ball, and they intervene and come to the right decision.

"When you look at that in the round, that's clearly the clear and obvious offence that needs penalising."

Audio from the released footage showed that several other potential fouls had been considered, but Webb insisted the most significant contact was undoubtedly on the goalkeeper.

Arsenal return to action at home against Burnley on May 18.