Rooney Backs VAR After West Ham Goal Ruled Out In Arsenal Win

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has defended the decision to disallow West Ham United’s stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal, insisting officials “did a really good job” in one of the Premier League’s biggest fixtures.

West Ham United believed they had snatched a dramatic point when Callum Wilson scored deep into added time. The strike would have dealt a blow to Arsenal’s title push and lifted the Hammers’ survival hopes.

Following a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Pablo Fornals on goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal held on to secure a vital 1-0 win, moving five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. West Ham remained in 18th place behind Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, as reported by BBC Sport, Rooney backed the call despite the inevitable controversy.

“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.

Rooney said the contact clearly affected Raya’s attempt 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.

He also praised VAR’s intervention 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.

Rooney admitted he has long been frustrated by the 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,” he said.

“Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers for that reason.

“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.”