Howard Webb defends VAR over Arsenal & West Ham controversy after backlash

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Referees' boss Howard Webb has insisted it was “categorically” the right decision to disallow West Ham ’s equaliser against Arsenal .

Sky pundit Gary Neville described it as the “biggest VAR decision in Premier League history” because it could help Arsenal to the title and play a part in getting West Ham relegated. It caused huge debate after referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed Callum Wilson ’s 95th minute after checking the VAR screen for 17 different replays which took four minutes and 17 seconds.

Eventually, it was chalked off for West Ham substitute Pablo putting an arm across Arsenal keeper David Raya even though the audio recording between the officials reveals they looked at TWO other fouls in the build-up.

Webb, talking on the TV show Match Officials Mic’D Up, said: “So, is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically, yes. We’ve said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can’t do their job, they’ll be penalised.

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“So when you see the best angle on this, you’ll see that that’s what happens from Pablo. And on the video, it’s clear and it’s obvious, and it happens early.

“And even though it’s not clear and obvious to the referee because he’s got a huge group of players in a penalty area, and it’s difficult to see, when the VAR sees this, of course, they have to get involved.

“We’re in the Premier League, and we know that not every contact is a foul. We consult all the time with the clubs, with the fan groups, with a range of other stakeholders about the type of game that they want to see and how they want us to officiate it.

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“This season’s been a little bit more unique than previous ones about the number of contacts in the penalty area, and it does create a challenge for the officials. But when they’re trying to identify what should be penalised, they’re looking for situations that are impactful.

“And you’ll see that in this situation, that it takes a bit of time because they’re going through a process pretty diligently because they really respect the game, and they’re aware, of course, of the size of this situation, the importance of this situation.”

The full transcript of the audio between referee Kavanagh, VAR Darren England and his assistant Akil Howson also reveals that they looked at potential fouls by Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard - but ruled both came AFTER The foul on Raya.

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The transcript read:

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. Just if you look at Trossard on Pablo. Give me a better angle on that.

VAR: I’ll get you a better angle.

REF: I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.

VAR: Yeah, OK.

REF: That’s nothing.

VAR: And then if you just want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back.

VAR: But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

The Mic’D Up show also reviewed three other incidents and insisted the officials were right not to send off Newcastle keeper Nick Pope for a challenge on Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres while they also said Benjamin Sesko’s goal was right to stand against Liverpool .

But there was an admission that “the game expects a penalty” when West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes was shown handling the ball in the box against Everton .

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