Jeff Stelling hits out after West Ham controversy v Chelsea. Credit: talkSPORT

Jeff Stelling hits out at PGMOL after West Ham United controversy v Chelsea

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

23 Sep 2024, 2:40 am

Jeff Stelling has slammed Stuart Attwell and the PGMOL after West Ham were not awarded a penalty against Chelsea on Saturday (21 September).

Sam Barrott waved away appeals after Crysencio Summerville was brought down in the penalty area by Wesley Fofana, with the decision checked and confirmed by VAR official Attwell.

The Hammers were 2-0 down at that moment in the game, going on to lose 3-0 after Cole Palmer scored early in the second half, and Stelling was disgusted by the decision at the London Stadium.

Speaking live via talkSPORT on Monday (23 September, 7:25am), Stelling said: "There's a moment during the first half when Crysencio Summerville was pulled back by Fofana, and referee Sam Barrott doesn't see it.

"Stuart Atwell calls it a 'fleeting contact'. Now, that was a disgrace. It's a 100% penalty. To Stuart Atwell and PGMOL, stop protecting your mates by giving out ridiculous excuses by saying it was a 'fleeting contact'.

"It does more damage than it does good. Just say he made a mistake - it is a penalty. Every football fan, every Chelsea fan, would have known it was a penalty. It could have changed to the game, or even the season."

West Ham United suffer VAR blunder v Chelsea

Hammers fans have every right to be aggrieved by the decision on Summerville's penalty. There was no question Fofana brought him down in the box, having struggled to deal with him all game.

The Premier League is still working to improve the use of VAR in the division, though wrong decisions continue to rear their ugly heads each week as clubs suffer from dreadful calls.

Of course, Barrott should have given the penalty straight away, but humans are bound to make errors, which is what VAR is there for. However, the technology has failed once again due to human use.

#WHUCHE – 28’

The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge by Fofana on Summerville is checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that this was not sustained holding.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 21, 2024

While it is difficult to argue against Julen Lopetegui's side being outplayed by the Blues, a penalty being awarded could have flipped the match on its head at a crucial moment.

The Hammers now sit just three points above the dreaded relegation zone, earning four points from their opening five matches of the new Premier League campaign.

In other West Ham news, Sky Sports picked on one of Lopetegui's stars in an "absolutely criminal" moment v Chelsea.

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