West Ham United are set to lodge a formal complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) over the decision to disallow Callum Wilson's goal in their Premier League match against Arsenal. The goal was ruled out after a VAR review determined that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had been fouled by West Ham's Pablo Fornals in the build-up.
Club's Frustration Over Inconsistency
The club is angry about what they perceive as a lack of consistency in officiating, particularly regarding challenges at set pieces. Although West Ham acknowledge that their complaint is unlikely to change the result, they plan to request the audio recordings between referee Chris Kavanagh and video assistant referee Darren England. Kavanagh was advised by England to review the incident on the pitchside monitor before making the final decision.
Impact on Premier League Survival
The disallowed goal dealt a significant blow to West Ham's hopes of staying in the Premier League. Had the goal stood and the match ended 1-1, West Ham would have drawn level on points with 17th-placed Tottenham. Many former referees have publicly stated that Kavanagh and England made the correct call, but West Ham remain unconvinced.
Future Discussions on Set-Piece Rules
Football's lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), is expected to discuss how to better handle grappling at set plays during its next round of discussions starting in the autumn. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the officials for their bravery, stating that the decision could determine "the history of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives."
