The PGMOL has released the full audio and transcript from the dramatic final moments of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over West Ham, sparking a fresh wave of debate over the consistency of VAR.
The footage reveals a tense exchange between referee Chris Kavanagh, VAR Darren England, and Assistant VAR Akil Howson regarding a disallowed 95th-minute equaliser from Callum Wilson.
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VAR audio reveals disagreement over Arsenal vs West Ham disallowed goal
As the officials scrutinised the goal at the monitor, the audio captures AVAR Akil Howson repeatedly raising concerns about Leandro Trossard’s actions toward West Ham’s Pablo Fornals.
While the VAR team initially focused on Pablo Fornals allegedly holding Raya’s arm, Howson pointed to a possible earlier or simultaneous foul by Trossard.
“You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got [Leandro] Trossard,” Howson said during the review (transcript via Daily Mail).
Referee Chris Kavanagh responded: “I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.”
After being asked to assess a potential shove by Trossard on Fornals, Kavanagh dismissed the incident, stating: ‘I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.’
The officials also reviewed a possible foul by Declan Rice on Konstantinos Mavropanos, but the focus remained on the goalkeeper challenge. Kavanagh ultimately concluded: ‘But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.’
Howard Webb defends referee decision in Arsenal vs West Ham incident
The officials came under fire after the game, with ‘West Ham boss claiming that even the referees don’t know what’s a foul‘.
But PGMOL chief Howard Webb defended the process on Match Officials Mic’d Up, insisting the clear and obvious error was the hold on Raya’s arm.
He said: “Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically, yes.
“We’ve said all season,…
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