West Ham to make official complaint over Arsenal controversy after VAR disallows late goal

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West Ham are understood to be launching a complaint to the PGMO after they were denied a late equaliser in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal following a VAR intervention.

The Hammers started the game in the relegation zone and thought Callum Wilson had salvaged a priceless point in their battle to avoid the drop when he struck in the 95th minute from a corner. However, celebrations were short-lived when VAR checked the goal and recommended an on-field review after a foul on David Raya was spotted.

Wilson's strike was subsequently chalked off by referee Chris Kavanagh, leaving West Ham pointless and Arsenal on the cusp of a first Premier League title in 22 years .

Debate over the decision has been fierce given the magnitude of the match with West Ham now poised to lodge an official complaint over the call which has thrust them closer to relegation, per The Times .

The report outlines that it took over four minutes for the match officials to come to the decision that Wilson's goal should be disallowed. It's also claimed Kavanagh viewed the incident 17 times on the pitchside monitor after being advised to review the goal.

West Ham are of the belief that any incident that takes that long to reach a decision does not reach the threshold of a clear-and-obvious error for VAR to intervene.

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The east London outfit, who remain a point behind Tottenham in the Premier League table having now played a game more, could also request to hear the conversations that took place between Kavanagh and Darren England, the designated VAR official for the match.

While Mikel Arteta lauded the officials for their bravery in ruling out the goal, Nuno Espirito Santo had a differing view post-match. “They have to solve it; they have to come to the clubs and explain the reasons behind different decisions,” he said.

“We’re upset and sad; this can’t be happening. Everybody’s confused. The players can’t understand it. Due to the recent seasons it’s been happening and even the referees don’t know what is a foul, what isn’t a foul. It creates a lot of doubt and speculation around it.”

Jarrod Bowen also questioned the decision, saying: “If you look at some of the decisions for long enough you’ll find something to give and that’s what happened in the end. It’s a corner kick, it’s physical, it’s the Premier League - there’s going to be contact and tussles. There’s lots of holding and grappling that goes on in the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty?”

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