Ex-England and Man United striker, Wayne Rooney, has backed VAR’s decision to disallow West Ham United’s late equaliser against Arsenal, insisting “they did a really good job” in one of the season’s biggest matches.
West Ham thought they had rescued a dramatic point when Callum Wilson found the net deep into stoppage time.
The goal would have dented Arsenal’s title ambitions while boosting the Hammers’ fight for survival.
However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Pablo Fornals on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal held on for a crucial 1-0 victory, moving five points clear of Manchester City. at the top of the Premier League table, while West Ham remained in 18th place behind Tottenham Hotspur.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, speaking on the “Wayne Rooney Show,” Rooney said the officials made the correct call despite the inevitable debate surrounding the incident.
“It’s a clear foul. You’re going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial, and probably all the players, staff, and fans, and they are going to say it should have stood. And then you’re going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, staff saying it shouldn’t have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff,” he said.
He explained that the contact on Raya clearly impacted the goalkeeper’s ability to challenge for the ball.
“But it’s a clear foul. I think you can clearly see the arm crosses his face, and it impacts him getting his ability to get. So I think it’s the right decision,” he stressed.
Rooney also praised the use of VAR in such a high-pressure moment.
“It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game,” he stressed.
Despite agreeing with the decision, Rooney admitted he has long been frustrated by how much protection goalkeepers receive from referees.
“I think where VAR is consistent, and the referees are consistent, and I hate it, is that you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul.
“Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason,” he averred.
Rooney added that goalkeepers already enjoy major physical advantages inside the penalty area.
“They can jump with their arms, and so they have got a big advantage, and normally they come out with their knees and the studs down your back and stuff.
“But I think it is consistent with goalkeepers that [if] you go near them, they normally get a free-kick,” he added.
