BySami MokbelSenior football correspondent11 May 2026 06 :08 BSTUpdated 3 hours agoWest Hammer is planning to contact Professional Game Match Officials regarding their late equaliser with Arsenal. BBC Sport reported that they would also request the audio between VAR Darren England and referee Chris Kavanagh. The Gunners beat Manchester City 1-0 to move five points in front of them in the Premier League. West Ham is currently 18th and Tottenham Hotspur are one point ahead of them. They will play Leeds on Monday. Wayne Rooney, former England and Manchester United striker, thinks VAR did “a really good job” in disallowing the goal. Rooney stated, “It’s a clear violation” on The Wayne Rooney Show. You’re going to hear a lot of people say that it shouldn’t’ve stood because it is controversial. And probably, all the staff, players and fans [of Manchester] City will say it should have stood. You’ll also hear from all the Tottenham fans, players and staff that the goal should not have stood, as well as the Arsenal supporters. “But it is an obvious foul. It’s obvious that the arm is crossing the face of the player, and preventing him from reaching the ball. This is the correct decision. “This is the only instance when I thought VAR performed well during an important match. Rooney was satisfied with the decision in this instance, but he lamented that goalkeepers had an advantage inside their own zone. “I hate that referees and VAR are always consistent. Rooney said that if you get anywhere near the goalkeeper it is considered a foul. “You get a penalty for being anywhere near the goalkeeper.” I’ve always disliked goalkeepers because of this. I believe (…) are able to jump with their hands, and that gives them a huge advantage. They will usually put studs and other things on your back. “But I think it’s consistent that goalkeepers, [if] they come near you, usually get a penalty kick. What other pundits had to say about this? On Match of the Day, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann stated: “I don’t believe anyone would choose Darren England to be their counterpart. No one would want to be in that chair. He was right, he made the decision and it was the largest VAR decision ever in Premier League. {Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, on Match of the Day : “The thing which irritates me” Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given stated on Match of the Day “the thing which irritates [me] is that we have seen goalkeepers and defenders blocked off numerous times this year with Arsenal. The consistency of the refereeing decisions frustrates everyone. Why are certain goals allowed while others are not? The bottom of the league and the top are both in the balance. “The other thing is that Gabriel is holding, Odegaard is holding, and Trossard is holding before the foul occurs on Raya. When did the referee choose this foul over the one before? Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool midfielder, said on Match of the Day the controversy and discontent over West Ham’s failure to score the goal is because of Arsenal. They can’t be held accountable for past decisions. “The VAR officials have to say what they see and it is an obvious foul. We shouldn’t let the fact that Arsenal is playing influence us. Rob Green, a former West Ham goalkeeper, told BBC Radio 5 Live it was a penalty. Two players are fouling the goalkeeper. This has been a hot issue all season, and it’s not surprising it comes down this. It feels like West Ham, Arsenal and VAR have been the hot topics of this season, especially with their set pieces. “In isolation, foul. The ball did not land where it was supposed to, but five or six fouls occurred at the same moment. You need to think about consistency. You think about consistency. “Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC SoundsRelated topicsWest Ham UnitedPremier LeagueArsenalFootballMore on this storyFollow your club with BBC Sport12 MarchListen to the latest Football Daily podcastGet football news sent straight to your phone16 August 2025
