Arsenal have been handed a new referee verdict on West Ham’s late equaliser that was controversially disallowed after VAR intervention
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed with the officials’ decision to disallow West Ham’s late equaliser against Arsenal.
Callum Wilson struck deep into added time but VAR intervened with referee Chris Kavanagh overturning the original decision and Gallagher believes the correct call was made, despite some complaints that Declan Rice had fouled Konstantinos Mavropanos.
He said on Sky Sports Ref Watch: “Between the officials, they came to the right decision. When you watch it, there is so much going on and to look at and what happens is you go have to go in chronological order
“If you look at it, Pablo puts his arm across Raya, he holds him, there is no doubt about that. Behind that, Declan Rice is engaged with Mavropanos, is that a penalty?
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
“Well if you look at it in that order, definitely Pablo goes first, his arm is across Raya and at that point, Rice is reaching, he does get hold of him, there is no doubt about that.
“And if there is not a foul on the goalkeeper, that is definitely a penalty as Mavropanos is running towards the ball. But the first foul is definitely by Pablo.”
Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd stated: “I completely agree and it is because of the magnitude of the game that it has taken so long. but they came to the right decision because Pablo’s arm is across Raya’s neck, Todibo is pulling on Raya’s shirt, so that is why it has to be given as a foul.”
Find the best flight and Budapest hotel deals with Booking.com
Various Prices
Booking.com
Book here
Arsenal have booked their place in the Champions League final and fans can support the team in Budapest with a flight and hotel deal from Booking.com.
Gallagher later added: “It’s all about sequence. If the West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen heads the ball, Pablo hasn’t engaged with Raya yet. he would have to head the ball before the shirt is grabbed. He doesn’t.
“What is the impact and what is the consequence. The impact is Pablo stopped Raya. He can’t go forward and attack the ball.
“Once he can’t attack the ball, he can’t make his goalkeeper challenge. His arm is across his chest and then he keeps his arm there, holding his arm down.
“Rice’s challenge on Mavropanos comes after. The foul on Raya had already occurred. You have to go in sequence order.”
MORE TO FOLLOW.
We’ll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit football.london. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you for the capital’s clubs.
Shining a light on the issues fans really want to know about and providing rolling coverage of the latest news, football.london’s writers give you the bigger picture on your club by knowing the little details inside-out.
Follow us on X @Football_LDN – for the all latet news as it happens in real time.
Sign up for one of Football London’s free daily and weekly newsletters on your club by clicking here.
