Controversy in the Premier League! West Ham appeal against VAR decision, which could hand Arsenal the title
Article by GSP.RO – Published Monday, May 11, 2026, 1:11 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 11, 2026, 1:15 p.m.
Arsenal defeated West Ham 1-0 in the 36th round of the Premier League and continued their journey towards the title. The match was decided by the intervention of VAR, and West Ham's representatives announced that they will file a complaint against the referee's decision to cancel the equalizing goal of the “hammers”, scored by Callum Wilson in extra time.
According to BBC Sport, West Ham are to approach the PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials) to lodge a formal complaint against centre-back Chris Kavanagh's decision. The Englishman canceled the goal scored by Wilson in extra time of the game, following the intervention of the VAR room.
Why West Ham's goal was disallowed
In the 5th minute of extra time, the “hammers” executed a corner in the middle of Arsenal's box, and the goalkeeper David Raya failed to keep the ball. The 34-year-old West Ham striker was able to restart from inside the box and score the equalizing goal.
However, the VAR referees found that the Arsenal goalkeeper was fouled by Pablo and decided to call the center back to review the phase on the monitor. After a few minutes of analysis, Kavanagh decided to disallow the goal.
The center went to midfield, from where he announced the official decision: “After checking, the number 19 from West Ham commits a foul on the goalkeeper. The final decision is a free kick.”
West Ham manager accuses: 'Even the referees don't know what a foul is'
Hammers coach Nuno Espirito Santo was blunt in his post-match interview: “Even the referees don't know what's a foul and what's not a foul. That creates doubt.
You look at every corner in the Premier League and something like this is happening, not just today but all over the pitch.
I'm talking about the lack of consistency. Players are confused and frustrated and don't understand. It's up to them to solve the problem, there is a referee and VAR, but the referees mess themselves up.”
Arteta exults: “The referee and the VAR had a lot of courage today”
His opponent, Mikel Arteta, wanted to congratulate the refereeing brigade at the end of the game, which may prove crucial for the title fight:
“The referee and VAR had a lot of courage today to stop and review the action and give the referee the opportunity to make a decision,” said the Arsenal manager.
“I don't think anyone would dispute that it's a clear foul because David (No Raya) has the ball almost in his hand and they don't allow him to do that and take advantage to score the goal.
It was a clear error, it is a free kick and the goal must be disallowed. Today I realized how difficult and how big the work of the referee is”.
The result leaves Arsenal top of the Premier League, 5 points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. On the other hand, after the defeat against the “gunners”, West Ham has one foot in the Championship. Nuno Espirito Santo's side have a point less than Tottenham, who have a game less played.
