West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has voiced strong criticism over the inconsistent application of VAR, after his side were denied a late equaliser against Arsenal due to a contentious foul on opposing goalkeeper David Raya.
The Hammers, who are battling to stay in the Premier League, believed they had snatched a crucial point against the title contenders when Callum Wilson found the net from a corner, cancelling out Leandro Trossard’s 82nd-minute opener.
However, following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was controversially chalked off, with officials deeming West Ham striker Pablo Felipe to have fouled Raya as he challenged for the cross.
Speaking after the match, Hermansen expressed his bewilderment at the decision, arguing that such contact is commonplace and often unpunished.
‘If you ask any goalkeeper in the league, if he’s been illegally blocked, pulled, pushed on corners this season I think you will not find anyone who has not experienced this.
‘So to give this, I’m not sure I understand why,” he stated.
He further highlighted perceived inconsistencies, noting other unpenalised infringements.
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‘Of course, we watched it afterwards and we can see there’s shirt pulls on (Konstantinos) Mavropanos, shirt pulls on (Tomas) Soucek, even shirt pulls on Pablo before the goal. So to pick this situation…”
Hermansen conceded the foul itself was legitimate, but questioned its application in this instance.
‘You know, I agree it’s a foul. You can give the foul on the goalkeeper, definitely.
‘But (with) what has been given during this season of goals with illegal blocks and illegal pulls and pushing and stuff on goalkeepers, I don’t understand why that’s been given. That’s all.’
The West Ham shot-stopper revealed he had discussed the issue with his Arsenal counterpart.
‘I spoke with David after the game and I think we have the same experience on this matter during this season,’ he said.
‘Because, of course, he has every right to ask for a free-kick or a foul on him. But I think you can find a lot of situations during this season where it’s been different.’