West Ham United are reportedly filing a protest with the PGMOL after a VAR intervention denied them a late equalizer in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
The Hammers, who had begun the game in the relegation zone, believed Callum Wilson had saved a crucial point in their fight to avoid the drop when he scored from a corner in the 95th minute.
The celebrations, however, were cut short as VAR reviewed the goal and suggested an on-field review following the discovery of a foul on David Raya.
Referee Chris Kavanagh then disallowed Wilson’s goal, rendering West Ham pointless and putting Arsenal on the verge of winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
An Official Complaint Set To Be Lodged
Given the importance of the game, there has been intense debate over the decision, and according to The Times, West Ham are now prepared to file an official complaint against the call that has put them in danger of relegation.
According to the report, it took the match referees more than four minutes to decide that Wilson’s goal should be disallowed. Kavanagh allegedly watched the incident 17 times on the pitchside monitor after being told to go over the goal.
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According to West Ham, any incident that takes so long to be decided does not qualify as a clear-and-obvious error for VAR to step in.
The east London team, who have already played one more game and are still one point behind Tottenham in the Premier League standings, may also ask to hear the exchanges between Kavanagh and Darren England, the match’s designated VAR official.
Nuno Espirito Santo had a different opinion after the game, despite Mikel Arteta praising the officials for their courage in disallowing the goal.
“They have to solve it; they have to come to the clubs and explain the reasons behind different decisions,” he said.
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