Every word of VAR check for West Ham's disallowed goal as audio released from Arsenal controversy | OneFootball

Key decision handed Gunners huge Premier League title boost

West Ham have been granted their wish for PGMOL to release the referee’s communications with VAR after the Hammers controversially had an equaliser chalked off against Arsenal.

The incident sparked huge controversy in the aftermath, with opinion split on whether the goal should have been allowed to stand or not.

Now, on ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’, audio has been released as referee Chris Kavanagh conversed with video assistant referee Darren England and his support team at Stockley Park.

The fact that the goal stood meant that Arsenal clung on to a huge three points that sent them five points clear at the top of the Premier League with two games left to play.

Here is every word in their exchange as the officials deliberated over the incident…

VAR: Possible foul on keeper. Watch has gone.

Assistant VAR: Goal given.

Assistant Referee: I don’t see any foul on the goalkeeper.

VAR: Checking the on-field decision of goal.

VAR: Let’s play it through. Let’s just get a feel now. So the keeper there… then it’s just a shot. It’s just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.

AVAR: Yeah, and to make sure he doesn’t have it in his hand.

VAR: Let’s get a tighter angle on the goalkeeper please. Slow it down, frame by frame. For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm. His hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful for me. The left arm, there, is holding, across the body and head. He’s holding the left arm of Raya there, which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly. Doesn’t look that impactful from that angle.

Foul: Pablo on David Raya

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AVAR: It’s like Raya… because the contact we’ve got there, we’ve got that straight behind him as well, look.

VAR: Keep delaying. Just checking possible foul on the goalkeeper.

Replay Operator: Do you want to see it at full speed? VAR: Yes please. Is it impactful on the goalkeeper, that, for me? Go back to the second angle you showed me.

AVAR: Can you do a split screen on both of them as well?

VAR: This one here, give us a split screen. That one and then the first angle.

AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball. I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well. Let’s say we’re saying that’s a foul, then what are we saying about Trossard’s actions on the same player? What are we saying about Declan Rice behind?

VAR: He still gets the hand to the ball, doesn’t he? When he’s getting to the ball.

AVAR: What’s your initial opinion as you watched it?

VAR: I think for me, we send him for an on-field review to look at the possible foul on the goalkeeper. And then we get him to look at the other incidents as well. I think that’s the best decision in terms of this.

VAR: Chris - I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well. I’m going to show you a possible foul on the goalkeeper. The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds onto the left arm as he goes to win the ball. I’m showing you that now.

Controversy: Pablo fouls David Raya

PA

Ref: I can see the clear holding on him across.

VAR: But then I’m just going to show you some, obviously, other angles on the incident, of players.

AVAR: You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got Trossard.

Ref: I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. If you look at Trossard on Pablo, give me a better angle on that. I’ll get you a better angle.

Ref: I don’t think there’s much in that at all. I’m happy with that. That’s nothing.

VAR: Then if you want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back. But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

Ref: Before it, so, after review, West Ham number…

VAR: 19.

Ref: 19. Foul. Just confirm his number again for me.

VAR: 19. Yeah, confirmed.