The full transcript of West Ham vs Arsenal incident as controversial audio released

A full transcript of the VAR check for West Ham's disallowed goal against Arsenal has emerged as the fallout continues from one of the most consequential decisions in Premier League history.

Arsenal edged closer to the league title on Sunday afternoon after a late Leandro Trossard goal helped them secure three points at the London Stadium.

It was a controversial game, to say the least. With seconds remaining, the Gunners looked like they had conceded a 95th-minute equaliser when Callum Wilson found the back of the net following a corner.

However, referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out Wilson's strike after VAR official Darren England recommended an on-field review.

VAR deemed there was a foul on goalkeeper David Raya in the build-up, with replays showing that Raya was having his shirt pulled by Jean-Clair Todibo as he went up to contest a corner, while Pablo leaned in to Raya's neck with his arm.

Three days on and the incident continues to be a big talking point amongst fans, with some suggesting that there were other fouls from both sets of players in the build-up to Wilson's effort.

Pablo of West Ham United fouls David Raya of Arsenal resulting in a late equalising goal for West Ham being disallowed by VAR. Image credit: Getty

The latest episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up featuring PGMOL chief Howard Webb was broadcast on Tuesday evening, and it featured audio from VAR during the controversial moment from Sunday's game.

Webb praised the process that led to West Ham’s equaliser being overturned as he described Pablo’s foul on the goalkeeper David Raya as “clear and obvious”.

“Is it a foul on the ­goalkeeper? ­Categorically, yes,” he 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 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.

“When you see the best angle on this, you’ll see that that’s what ­happens from Pablo. And on the video, it’s clear and it’s obvious, and it happens early. 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.”

Transcript of conversation that ruled out West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal revealed

Here is the complete transcript of 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 the on-field decision of goal. OK, let’s play it through, let’s play it through. Let’s just get a feel now. So, the keeper there… Then it’s just a shot. So, it’s literally just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.

AVAR: Yeah, and to make sure he doesn’t have it in his hand.

VAR: OK, let’s get a tighter angle on the goalkeeper please. On the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Replay Operator: Yeah.

VAR: This one. Slow it down, frame by frame. For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm. His hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful, for me. The left arm there, is holding, is across the body. He’s across the head and he’s holding the left arm of Raya, there. Which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly. Doesn’t look that impactful from that angle.

Replay Operator: I’ve got a pole cam angle.

VAR: Give us pole cam.

AVAR: It’s like, Raya… Because that contact we’ve got there, we’ve got…

VAR: Just keep delaying. Just checking possible foul on the goalkeeper.

AVAR: You’ve got that straight behind him as well, look.

VAR: Yeah.

Replay Operator: I’ll go back to the original angle.

VAR: Yeah. But this happens before.

Replay Operator: Do you want to see it at full speed?

VAR: Yes please. Is it impactful on the goalkeeper that, for me. Go back to the second angle you showed me, the second angle.

Replay Operator: No problem, just going to look now.

AVAR: Can you do a split screen on both of them as well?

VAR: This one here, this one. Yeah, give us a split screen. That one and then the first angle.

Replay Operator: OK, goal line?

VAR: No, sorry, this one and this one, thank you.

AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball and you’ve got… I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well. Let’s say we’re saying that’s a foul, then what are we saying about Trossard’s actions on the same player? What are we saying about Declan Rice behind?

The VAR audio from West Ham’s equaliser against Arsenal has emerged. Image credit: Sky Sports

VAR: Yeah. He still gets a hand to the ball, doesn’t he? When he’s getting to the ball

AVAR: What’s your initial opinion as you watched it?

VAR: I think, for me, we send him for an on-field review to look at the possible foul on the goalkeeper. And then we get him to look at the other incidents as well. I think that’s the best decision in terms of this. OK.

(Addressing Kavanagh) Chris, I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well.

REF: OK.

VAR: So, I’m going to show you a possible foul on the goalkeeper.

Replay Operator: This angle?

REF: OK.

VAR: The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds onto the left arm of Raya as he goes to win the ball

REF: Yeah.

VAR: I’m showing you that now.

REF: I can see the clear holding on him across.

VAR: Yeah, but then I’m just going to show you some, obviously, other angles on that incident, of players.

REF: OK.

AVAR: You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got Trossard.

REF: I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. Just if you look at Trossard on Pablo. Give me a better angle on that

VAR: I’ll get you a better angle.

REF: I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.

VAR: Yeah, OK.

REF: That’s nothing.

VAR: And then if you just want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back. But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

REF: Before it, so… After review, West Ham number…

VAR: 19.

REF: 19. Foul. Just confirm his number again for me.

VAR: 19.

VAR: Yeah, confirmed

REF: Mic open.

REF: After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free kick.