adminHammers to contact refereeing body PGMOL to express concerns over costly decision to rule out Callum Wilson’s last-gasp equaliser
West Ham United are set to request an explanation from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after their equalizing goal against Arsenal on Sunday was disallowed following a VAR review.
Standard Sport understands that the Hammers will contact refereeing authorities to voice concerns over Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time effort, which was controversially ruled out.
Wilson believed he had scored a 95th-minute equalizer at the London Stadium—a goal that would have earned West Ham a vital point in their relegation battle while damaging Arsenal’s Premier League title push.
However, referee Chris Kavanagh eventually disallowed the goal for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
After being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR official Darren England, Kavanagh ruled that West Ham forward Pablo had placed his arm across Raya, preventing him from reaching the corner that led to Wilson’s finish—what appeared to be a crucial goal at both ends of the table.
The decision took six minutes to reach and prompted West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo to demand greater clarity on the rules, while captain Jarrod Bowen lamented a lack of consistency from officials.
“They have to solve it,” Nuno said of the decision to rule out the equalizer. “They have to come to the clubs and explain and show why sometimes it is, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s a goal, sometimes not a goal. Everybody feels confused. Today we are upset, we are sad.”
Wilson’s disallowed goal meant Arsenal held on for a 1-0 victory, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table over Manchester City to five points, while keeping West Ham stuck in the bottom three with only two games remaining.
Denied the chance to draw level on points with 17th-placed Tottenham, the Hammers could find themselves four points adrift of safety if Spurs beat Leeds—who are now mathematically safe—at home on Monday night.
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