- West Ham United lost 1-0 to Arsenal last Sunday
- The Hammers had an equaliser from Callum Wilson disallowed following VAR review
- West Ham had their request for VAR audio approved by PGMOL
The PGMOL has accepted West Ham United’s request to make the video assistant referee (VAR) audio from Callum Wilson’s disallowed goal public.
After Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for Arsenal late into the second half, Hammers’ striker Wilson appeared to have saved a Premier League point for West Ham in the fifth minute of stoppage time on Sunday, but after a lengthy review, the VAR ruled it a foul by Pablo Feilpe on Gunners’ goalkeeper David Raya.
Following the match, there was much debate about whether the goal should have been allowed to stand. On ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up,’ audio from referee Chris Kavanagh’s conversation with VAR Darren England and his assistant VAR Akil Howson at Stockley Park has been revealed.
The main ‘foul’ on David Raya
The main incident in the melee that brings Kavanagh to the screen is the ‘possible foul’ on Raya, which VAR first highlights.
Assistant Referee Dan Cook highlights that he does not see a foul on Raya, but despite that, the goal is given by Kavanagh.
The on-field decision from Kavanagh then proceeds to be checked by VAR, which brings the main referee to the side-pitch screen. Upon arriving at the screen, it is agreed among the trio to pinpoint on the foul on Raya as the assistant VAR checks to see if Raya had the ball in his full possession, which the Arsenal goalkeeper didn’t.
The impact of the ‘foul’ on Raya
The crux of the debate between the referee and the VAR becomes centered on the impact that Pablo’s intervention has on Raya claiming the ball from the corner. As stated, Raya briefly rises to collect the aerial ball but dose not obtain a full grasp of it, which leads to the impact of the foul in that action.
“For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm,” VAR says. “His [Pablo] hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful, for me.”
“He’s across the head and he’s holding the left arm of Raya, there.” VAR adds: “Which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly.”
An alternative pole-cam angle is then introduced into the viewing. As part of 17 replays, the replay operator provides the incident at full speed, as well as a goaline angle and split screen.
‘Everything else’
The assistant VAR also highlights Trossard’s role, with the Arsenal attacker facing Pablo and not the corner as the ball is swung in. “I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well,” he says.
The ‘everything else’ mentioned in the penalty box melee also points to Declan Rice’s intervention on Konstantinos Mavropanos, with the former Hammers’ captain wrapping both his hands across the West Ham defender’s waist.
Kavanagh is sent to the screen for an on-field review, where he assesses the main incident on Raya and the others, in which he replies, “I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.” After receiving other angles, the referee states, “I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.”
Kavanagh is again asked whether he wants to consider Rice’s play in the corner but cites it as “nothing” before confirming the disallowing of Wilson’s goal on Pablo.
