Arsenal vs West Ham VAR audio released by PGMOL

"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). “Howson said during the review (transcript via Daily Mail).” 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."

"Referee Chris Kavanagh responded sharply during the monitor review. “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 exchange shows disagreement over what foul, if any, should determine the decision."

"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.” The final decision centered on the timing and location of the foul involving goalkeeper Raya, rather than the other potential incidents raised during the review."

"Howard Webb defended the process after criticism from West Ham. “Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically, yes. We've said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if” Webb’s comments supported the VAR outcome by emphasizing that the hold on Raya’s arm met the standard for a foul on the goalkeeper."

Arsenal won 1-0 against West Ham after a 95th-minute equaliser by Callum Wilson was disallowed. VAR audio and transcript capture a tense exchange among referee Chris Kavanagh, VAR Darren England, and Assistant VAR Akil Howson during the monitor review. Howson repeatedly raised concerns about Leandro Trossard’s actions toward West Ham’s Pablo Fornals, suggesting a possible earlier or simultaneous foul rather than focusing only on Fornals allegedly holding Raya’s arm. Kavanagh dismissed the shove claim, saying there was little in it and that he was satisfied with the assessment. The officials also considered a potential foul by Declan Rice on Konstantinos Mavropanos, but the goalkeeper challenge remained central. PGMOL chief Howard Webb defended the decision, stating the hold on Raya’s arm was categorically a foul on the goalkeeper.

Read at www.caughtoffside.com