Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has defended the decision to disallow West Ham United’s late equaliser against Arsenal, insisting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) made the correct call in a crucial Premier League encounter.
West Ham thought they had rescued a point when Callum Wilson scored deep into stoppage time. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review identified a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
The decision proved decisive as Arsenal held on for a 1-0 victory, moving five points clear of Manchester City F.C. at the top of the Premier League table. The defeat also left West Ham in 18th place, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in the relegation battle.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney backed the officials and said the foul was evident after replay review.
“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney said.
“You’re going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial and probably all the [Manchester] City players, staff, and fans are going to say it should have stood. And then you’re going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, staff saying it shouldn’t have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff.
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“But it’s a clear foul. I think you can clearly see the arm crosses his face, and it impacts him getting to the ball. So I think it’s the right decision.
“It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game.”
Despite supporting the decision, Rooney questioned the level of protection goalkeepers receive inside the penalty area.
“I think where VAR is consistent, and the referees are consistent, and I hate it, is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said.
“You go anywhere near the goalkeeper, and you give a foul. Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers for that reason. I think because (…) they can jump with their arms, and so they have got a big advantage, and normally they come out with their knees and the studs down your back and stuff.
“But I think it is consistent with goalkeepers that [if] you go near them, they normally get a free-kick.”
The decision also drew reactions from several former players and officials.
Former Premier League assistant referee, Darren Cann, described it as one of the biggest VAR moments in league history.
“I don’t think anyone would want to trade places with Darren England. Nobody would want to be sitting in that chair.
“He stepped up to the plate, he made the right decision, and it’s the biggest VAR call in Premier League history,” Cann said on Match of the Day.
