West Ham launched an immediate complaint after Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute goal was ruled out by VAR against Arsenal, with Nuno Espirito Santo and Jarrod Bowen questioning the decision
West Ham lodged an immediate complaint following Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute goal being controversially disallowed against Arsenal on Sunday. Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen maintained that greater holding occurred in the penalty area amongst other players, beyond solely the incident involving Pablo and David Raya.
The club additionally argued that comparable situations have been “judged different” in prior matches, referencing their recent fixture against Brentford, where their appeals were ignored. The Times now report that the Hammers will lodge a formal complaint with the PGMOL over the disallowed goal.
The goal, had West Ham secured a point, would have drawn them level with Tottenham while significantly opening up the title race. A frustrated Bowen told Sky Sports: “Yeah [hard done by]. There is a lot of ways I could go about answering this question.
“Because we are on the receiving end, we will feel hard done by. Football is a sport that brings enjoyment and brings big moments. We had our big moment and thought we got back in the game.
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“Look at something for five minutes, trying to find something.
“Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players and there is a lot of holding inside the box. Are you going to look at those every time and give a penalty? That is the only way that is the right way to do it.
“You can’t wipe a goalkeeper out but the keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact. It’s the Premier League; there is going to be contact.
“We had one at Brentford last week when Tomas Soucek got pulled at the back post and did not get a penalty. I just think, like I said, if you look at something long enough, you will find something to give.
“I can guarantee that pundits and people watching know football is a physical game. If you’re going to give it, give it every week. Where is the line and where is the bar?”
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West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was another Hammers player to express his frustration with the Dane having his say on Instagram.
The 25-year-old said: “So much anger and frustration in all of us right now. So difficult to understand.
“We keep believing, we are all together. Stadium was amazing again today! Thanks for pushing us forward! Still everything to play for!”
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo likewise suggested that other scenarios have been “judged different” compared to the incident that saw Wilson’s goal disallowed.
He added: “Due to the circumstances and the way it finished, we are all upset.
“Look, there is a referee and VAR, there is circumstances in the past that have been judged different. Let’s not go further than that.
“Due to the recent seasons, it has been happening [similar incidents]. Even the referees don’t know what is a foul and what is not a foul, It creates doubt.
“Let’s look at the game overall. We made a very good match. Arsenal is a tough team. We lost the game.”
