I wonder whether, unwittingly, West Ham United yesterday benefitted from a subtle change in the refereeing of the game which was announced in August.
As I watched Adama Traore bearing down on goal with Max Kilman trailing behind him, I feared the worst when Traore stuck a leg in front of Kilman’s and then went down inside the penalty box. In past seasons, there were two layers to the decision making. Even if the referee didn’t view it as a Penalty I expected VAR to do their usual review and award the spot kick to Fulham: Pretty much any contact in the ‘box normally lead to a Penalty. I certainly remember decisions going against us last season for less.
Not a Penalty – VAR chose not to Intervene : Marco Silva: ‘How was that not a Penalty?’
However, strangely the referee didn’t blow for a Penalty and then, stranger still, VAR did not overturn or invite the referee to review. A new era seems to be quietly underway, much to Hammers fans relief yesterday. However much Marco Silva ranted.
Back before the start of the 2024/5 Premier League campaign, the press release which accompanied changes to the video assistant referee – told us all that “The referee’s call should stand unless the VAR, based on readily available evidence, can see without doubt the on-pitch official has made a clear mistake. In the absence of that clear evidence, the referee’s call will stand.”
It seems as if West Ham may have been on the receiving end of that change of policy yesterday which I have to say seems a very good tweak to the system. There are times of course when it will go against us, but the more decision making left to the on-field official unless ‘a clear mistake‘ has been made, the better.
Former referee Mike Dean (nobody’s favourite!) speaking on SkySports confirmed: “It is not a pen, a tiny nudge in the back and with the way the high bar is now, it was looked at by the VAR, but not enough to overturn the decision.”
So, early signs are, for more reliance placed upon on-field decisions. Can only be a good thing for the fans at the stadium. Whilst there are times when the result goes the other way and decisions will go against West Ham, it seems that there has been a small but significant ’tilt’ of the rules back towards the supporters’ experience not being ruined by endless VAR interventions.
Time will tell this season, but unless you are Marco Silva, it would seem to be a positive step and the PL authorities should get a -small- round of applause for the change.
The ref didn’t give it, VAR didn’t get him to look at it is a second ref saying no. Gale immediately said no. Mike Dean said too weak to be a penalty – Where’s the contention ? It’s only Silva who thinks otherwise.
Looked a clear penalty but very happy to get the result not only on the penalty but gaining a point from the game. Fulham will feel hard done by but it’s a results business and this is a point gained against last year.
Chelsea next and another hard game, would be nice to see Lopetegui start with his best players which means Todibo, Summerville and Paqueta with Bowen up top.
COYI
Last season would have seen the Fulham manager whinging if the decision didn’t go his way in defence so now he’s not happy it went against him in attack….cannot win! All clubs had a vote to get rid of VAR and all but two decided to keep it. I’m sure things will even out over the season and this will be forgotten like the storm in a tea cup it is, and yes I expect us to be in the wrong end of a few refereeing decisions, nothing new there.