May 12, 2026, 07:29 PM
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Howard Webb has backed referee Chris Kavanagh. Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Referees' chief Howard Webb said the decision to disallow what would have been a crucial West Ham United equaliser against Arsenal last Sunday was "categorically" correct and called it "a good use of VAR."
Callum Wilson struck in injury time following a corner and the goal was given on field by referee Chris Kavanagh. However, video assistant referee Darren England recommended Kavanagh review it after spotting a foul by Pablo Felipe on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Kavanagh changed his mind after studying the replays.
The decision is arguably the most pivotal VAR call in Premier League history as it boosted Arsenal's chances of winning the title and denied West Ham a crucial point in their fight against relegation.
The Hammers are understood to have contacted referees' body Professional Game Match Officials [PGMO] to raise their concerns and seek explanations regarding the incident.
Webb, the chief refereeing officer at PGMO, is in absolutely no doubt, however, that it was a clear and obvious foul.
The decision to award a foul against Pablo on David Raya has divided opinion. Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Speaking on Tuesday night's Match Officials Mic'd Up programme on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, Webb said: "Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes.
"We've said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can't do their job, they'll be penalised.
"We're not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we're talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper's arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.
"On the video, it's clear and it's obvious and it happens early. And, even though it's not clear and obvious to the referee because he's got a huge group of players in a penalty area and it's difficult to see, when the VAR sees this, of course, they have to get involved."
The Mic'd Up programme is a key element of PGMO's continued commitment to providing transparency on decision-making and the full discussion between Kavanagh and the VAR team was played out during the show.
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The foul on Raya was part of a sequence where various players were grappling, pulling and pushing one another in what has become a common sight at set-pieces this season.
On the audio, England clearly advises Kavanagh to also check possible fouls by Leandro Trossard on Pablo and by Declan Rice on Konstantinos Mavropanos. Kavanagh did not see enough in the first challenge to call that a foul,and the Rice challenge came just after Pablo's foul on Raya in the sequence.
"What we also hear the VAR doing is going through everything else, because he wants to make sure that this is the only clear and obvious offence that needs intervening upon," Webb added.
Webb said officials needed to continue to be "vigilant" in scrutinising set-pieces, adding: "We've penalised more holding penalties than we did last year, but we've missed some as well.
"Not like this, though, where the goalkeeper's arms are being interfered with. This is different and this is why this one is a clear offence and a good use of VAR."