Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has issued his response after West Ham United were denied a late goal against Arsenal by VAR.
West Ham’s hearts were broken when Callum Wilson saw a goal ruled out against Arsenal, which appeared to have given the Hammers a precious point in the relegation battle.
A devastating finale, but who was your West Ham MOTM? 😪
However, Pablo Felipe was adjudged to have fouled David Raya in the build-up and the goal was duly chalked off, leaving the Irons staring the prospect of relegation directly in the face.
Understandably, West Ham fans are furious about the VAR decision. According to Clattenburg, however, it was the right call.
Clattenburg backs VAR decision that broke West Ham hearts
Speaking exclusively to Hammers News, the former Premier League official said: “It was clear that Pablo had his arm across the goalkeeper of Arsenal after the corner had been taken.
It was a huge call in the Premier League season and the VAR was correct to recommend a review. The arm of the West Ham player stopped the goalkeeper challenging for the ball and it was simply a foul. However hard it was for West Ham, it was the correct decision.”
Give us your response to Callum Wilson’s VAR heartbreak? 😫
The right call? Or harsh on Pablo?
The issue, however, is the lack of consistency. Whether Pablo fouled Raya or not isn’t really the debate, it’s about what actually constitutes a foul.
There were several other incidents that could have been looked at. Declan Rice’s grappling with Dinos Mavropanos is just one of them.
The major frustration is that the rules aren’t always applied universally. It would be much easier to accept if everyone knew where they stood.
Nuno Espirito Santo criticised the VAR decision on that very basis.
While no one is suggesting that West Ham are edging closer to relegation just because of that one call, the fact that there are other issues in play here doesn’t mean the lack of consistency can be ignored entirely.
When the stakes are so high, there needs to be clarity.
West Ham have not done enough to keep themselves in the Premier League yet and it certainly seems as if the Championship awaits.
The ever-changing landscape of the way in which the rules are applied, however, clearly does not help.
There are two games left to play this season but it certainly feels as if the wind has come out of West Ham’s sails.
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