west ham (foto: Getty Images)
West Ham supporters believe VAR ignored multiple penalty incidents before disallowing a dramatic late equalizer against Arsenal.
Arsenal’s dramatic 1:0 victory against West Ham has triggered enormous controversy after furious supporters claimed the visitors should have received multiple penalties before their late equalizer was disallowed.
The match ended in chaos deep into stoppage time.
Callum Wilson thought he had rescued a point in the 95th minute when the ball crossed the line following a crowded corner situation.
However, after a lengthy VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh ruled the goal out for a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The decision immediately sparked outrage.
Many supporters felt the contact between Pablo and Raya was soft and insufficient to overturn the goal.
But the controversy only grew larger afterward.
West Ham fans began circulating videos online claiming the officials ignored at least three separate penalty incidents during the same phase of play.
One angle appeared to show Leandro Trossard pulling Pablo before the challenge involving Raya.
Another replay showed Kai Havertz grappling with Tomas Soucek, with the West Ham midfielder seemingly dragged toward the ground inside the penalty area.
Supporters also pointed toward an incident involving Raya himself, accusing the Arsenal goalkeeper of holding Jean-Clair Todibo moments before the disallowed goal.
The reactions online were immediate and explosive.
"I counted three penalties," one supporter wrote on social media.
Another fan added:
"If that was the other way round, Arteta and Arsenal players would surround the referee and the goal would stand."
Others described the situation as complete chaos.
"There's like eight different fouls… am I watching rugby?" one user joked.
Some viewers even suggested Declan Rice could also have been penalized during the crowded set-piece situation.
The decision proved massive at both ends of the table.
Arsenal moved five points clear of Manchester City in the title race, while West Ham remained dangerously close to the relegation zone.
After the match, West Ham coach Nuno Espirito Santo did little to hide his frustration.
"We're all upset of course," he admitted.
"There’s a referee, there’s VAR, there are circumstances in the past that would be judged differently."
The Portuguese coach also criticized the growing inconsistency around refereeing decisions.
"Even the referees don't know what is a foul and what isn't a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation."
The debate around VAR in England has once again exploded after another decisive and highly controversial moment in the Premier League title race.