Former Premier League Referee Explains Why West Ham's Goal Against Arsenal Was Rightly Disallowed

THE massive decision to rule out West Ham’s late equaliser against Arsenal was the CORRECT call.

That is the verdict of former Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey.

Pablo was penalised for fouling David Raya before the West Ham equaliser Credit: Getty Chris Kavanagh was praised for the way he handled the situation Credit: Reuters

at the London Stadium when the goal-line technology confirmed it did cross the line.

However, after two minutes and 35 seconds, referee .

The VAR intervention could have major ramifications at both ends of the table – and caused a mighty debate, both over .

But Halsey cleared things up.

He told SunSport: “We’ve had a massive problem this season – and inconsistencies – from the officials when we’re seeing holding and grappling offences in the penalty area.

“Something has to happen, we’ve got to stop this.

“We all know in those situations when a goal is scored that it will be checked as per the protocol.

“Now in this instance, have thrown the kitchen sink, they’re trying to get an equaliser, and when that ball comes across from the corner, everything’s going on in that penalty area. There’s about ten, 11, 12 fouls.

“But you look at it and you penalise the ones that stick out. When you look at it, you can clearly see that Pablo has impeded David Raya. You can clearly see that.

“Not only that, you can see that Jean-Clair Todibo has got hold of Raya’s shirt so he’s pulling it down.

“It’s very difficult for Chris Kavanagh in real time to see that, but that’s what there for.

“Now there was massive, massive pressure on Chris Kavanagh once he’s been called over to the monitor, recommended a review by Darren England.

“In my opinion, they came to the correct decision. There were two fouls in there.

“The pressure on Darren and the pressure on Chris was there for everybody to see.

“It was a massive, massive decision to make with what was at stake.

“So in my opinion, they’ve come to the right decision.

SunSport expert columnist insisted the right decision was reached Credit: AFP There was also a pull on the Spanish goalkeeper Credit: Getty

“But for me, the PGMOL and their officials, we’ve got to clamp down harder on all this grappling.”

Players from both sides lined up behind Kavanagh as he studied the video pictures 17 times before announcing Pablo’s arm across Raya’s throat was indeed a foul.

But Mikel Arteta heaped praise on the referee for making the crunch decision.

The boss said: “It was a very brave call and consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.

“When I have to be critical, I have been.

“This time I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call.

“When you look at it, it is an obvious foul, a free kick, and the goal has to be disallowed.

“So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances.

“I’ve now realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is because you’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives.

“And, phew, the pressure is huge. Huge pressure. Huge pressure.”