Referees’ chief says disallowing West Ham United goal against Arsenal in EPL ‘categorically’ right

LONDON – Howard Webb, the chief of English football referees’ body PGMOL, has said that disallowing West Ham United’s equaliser during their 1-0 English Premier League defeat by Arsenal on May 10 was a “categorically” correct decision and “a good use of VAR (video assistant referee)”.

The Hammers trailed to Leandro Trossard’s late strike at the London Stadium, but appeared to have rescued a last-gasp draw when Callum Wilson fired home after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had dropped the ball.

But the home side’s celebrations were curtailed by a prolonged intervention from VAR Darren England that ended with referee Chris Kavanagh changing his decision, ruling that Pablo had fouled Raya, after consulting the pitch-side monitor.

Arguably the most important VAR decision in Premier League history, it helped leaders Arsenal go five points clear at the top of the table with two games to play, and left West Ham in the relegation zone.

The Hammers are reported to have contacted the PGMOL to raise their concerns. But Webb, chief refereeing officer of the referees’ body, had no doubt the officials were right in concluding that Pablo had committed a clear and obvious foul.

The 54-year-old former referee, speaking on the Match Officials Mic’d Up programme on Sky Sports and TNT Sports on May 12, said: “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.”

He added: “We’re not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we’re talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper’s arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.

“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 the penalty area and it’s difficult to see, when the VAR sees this, of course, they have to get involved.”

The foul on Raya was part of a sequence where various players were grappling, pulling and pushing one another in what has become a familiar sight at corners and free kicks this season.

“We’ve penalised more holding penalties than we did last year, but we’ve missed some as well,” said Webb.

“Not like this, though, where the goalkeeper’s arms are being interfered with. This is different and this is why this one is a clear offence and a good use of VAR.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Ben White will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, ruling him out of the Gunners’ Premier League run-in and the Champions League final, the club confirmed on May 12.

The medial knee ligament injury also means the 28-year-old is highly unlikely to feature for England at the June 11-July 19 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

White left the London Stadium with a brace on his right knee after he was substituted in the first half of Arsenal’s win against West Ham.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta admitted shortly afterwards that the injury “didn’t look good at all”, and the Premier League leaders have now confirmed he will be unavailable for their final two league games, as well as their European final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.

“Assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that Ben White has sustained a significant medial knee ligament injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of this season,” Arsenal said in a statement.

“Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”

White’s absence will provide Arteta with a selection headache at right-back for their pivotal games against Burnley, Crystal Palace and PSG, with Jurrien Timber also sidelined. AFP, REUTERS