At 1-0 down to Newcastle, West Ham players and backroom staff claimed a penalty, but VAR decided that despite the ball striking Jeff Hendrick’s arm, it wasn’t a penalty.
It was also questioned whether Callum Wilson’s opening goal should have stood. The striker high with his boot as he touched in Hendrick’s header ahead of Lukas Fabianski’s dive.
TV pundit Graeme Souness said that goal should have definitely been disallowed and thought the Hammers should have been awarded a penalty in the second incident.
Former top Premier League (and lifelong Newcastle fan) Mark Clattenburg has told Graeme Souness he is wrong!
Mark Clattenburg talking to The Mail said:
“I see Graeme Souness was adamant Callum Wilson’s opening goal for Newcastle should have been disallowed for dangerous play – but he is wrong. From one angle, I understand what he is saying, Wilson’s boot is high, his studs are showing and it looks like he is head-on with West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.
“But the truest angle of the incident shows you that Wilson gets there in front of the keeper. The striker is entitled to go for that and Fabianski just isn’t quick enough.
“You have to remember as well, the keeper is coming out with his fist, it is not a case of foot against head, like it would be elsewhere on the pitch.”
Are they going to waste VAR again? Great technology but they have to tinker with the rules and interpretations to make an inconsistent mess. This might be handball next week but not this week… Dangerous play depends on how close to the keepers head the high boot showing studs was! How to cock ift up by the Authorities.
VAR in itself is not the problem it is the idiots interpreting it . . I cannot stand Souness but he has been right about West Ham all weekend . Both incidents were called wrongly . … a fist against a foot … what rubbish ..a high boot is a high boot and handball stopping a goal bound shot is handball … Also Noble has undermined the team morale. We all know the Brady bunch are not fit for purpose but him spouting off will not help .
Var looked at AC’s elbow into Soucheks neck. Quite blatent serious foul play. Nothing given. He then repeated it. Looked ay by VAR. Nothing given again. What is the point of it if not to stop these incidents?
The idea that Mark Clattenburg can be brought in to bring some sense and analysis to a debate about refereeing decisions is evidence of how nuts the world of football, football punditry and football journalism is. Have people forgotten just how bad Clattenburg’s decision making was?