David Moyes claims clubs like West Ham United are ignored amid new VAR controversy
David Moyes has claimed the focus around poor VAR decisions is too focused on the top teams, while teams like his West Ham side face equally poor decisions but are ignored.
These comments have come after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicked off following a controversial winning goal for Newcastle in the Premier League, but Moyes has no sympathy.
The Hammers boss has claimed he is disappointed with a number of decisions VAR has made around his side, but that won’t get the same attention as top teams garner when decisions don’t go their way.
Speaking following his West Ham side’s 2-1 victory over Olympiacos on 9 November, as shared by The Standard [10 November], Moyes said: “I think we’ve all been disappointed with some of the officiating this season.
“There’ve been a couple of big incidents that have been highlighted, but it’s mainly at the top clubs. It’s as if people don’t think that some other clubs have the same problems, the same VAR problems, the same decision-making. It doesn’t get the same highlight.
“We’re all pretty disappointed by what we’ve been getting back.”
Moyes is right
The focus on these controversial VAR calls is always on the top clubs. The clash between Liverpool and Tottenham was a flashpoint, and that has been closely followed by Arsenal and Arteta’s moaning, but if a decision goes against West Ham when they face Nottingham Forest this weekend, will anybody bat an eyelid?
This has all too often been the problem in the Premier League. Whether it’s a bias towards the bigger clubs, or simply a case that those incidents are the ones that gain clicks and views from a wider audience, there is no doubting the increased focus.
The Hammers have been on the receiving end of several poor decisions already this season, and that seems unlikely to chance, as will be the case for every club in the Premier League.
Moyes clearly has no sympathy for his North London colleague, and nor should he. There’s only so much the managers can say before they realise they are having no effect, and the Hammers boss has reached that stage already.
In other West Ham news, Gabby Agbonlahor has predicted West Ham v Nottingham Forest.