Howard Webb has defended the controversial decision to rule out West Ham United’s late equaliser against Arsenal, insisting officials made the correct call.
The incident took place in the last minute of stoppage time when the Hammers thought they had rescued a dramatic point through a Callum Wilson goal.
However, referee Chris Kavanagh was instructed to review the incident on the pitchside monitor after VAR officials spent more than four minutes examining the build-up using 17 different replay angles.
After the review, the goal was disallowed because West Ham substitute Pablo Felipe was judged to have fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by placing an arm across him before the ball went into the net.
Speaking on [Match Officials Mic’D Up](https://www.premierleague.com/en/video/4656519/match-officials-micd-up-why-west-hams-goal-against-arsenal-was-ruled-out), Webb strongly backed the decision and explained that referees have been told throughout the season to protect goalkeepers from being unfairly blocked or held during set pieces.
“So, is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically, yes,” Webb said.
“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.
“So when you see the best angle on this, you’ll see that that’s what happens from Pablo. And 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 decision has sparked outrage across the Premier League and has quickly become one of the most talked-about VAR moments of the season.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville described it as possibly the “biggest VAR call in Premier League history” because of its potential impact at both ends of the table.
That decision helped Arsenal consolidate their place at the top of the table, while leaving the Hammers sweating in the bottom three.
The incident has also forced [football lawmakers to address the issue of grappling during set-pieces](https://footballtoday.com/2026/05/12/football-lawmakers-to-discuss-grappling-at-corners-after-controversial-call-in-arsenal-vs-west-ham/), although West Ham are already exploring potential legal action against the Premier League.