Karren Brady rages over ‘unbalanced’ West Ham United controversy in new David Moyes admission
West Ham United chief Karren Brady has been left enraged by several “questionable” decisions from officials surrounding the Irons in recent weeks.
The Hammers have been hampered by some controversial calls recently, not least in their 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United, where Kalvin Phillips conceded a penalty after Anthony Gordon jumped in front of his kicking leg.
While Brady has done what she can to understand these calls, even going as far as to write five letters to the PGMOL, she has admitted that the Irons’ manager, David Moyes, can do very little to protest with officials.
Writing for The Sun on Friday (5 April) she said: “The professional game is fast being played nearly as much in the rulebook as on the pitch — such is the pressure to win.
“The VAR record is good on offsides and line rulings but otherwise unpredictable — making mince meat of handball rulings and no better than a ref on free-kicks. West Ham’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle turned on a questionable VAR call that Kalvin Phillips had fouled Anthony Gordon.
“But there is no point complaining as nothing changes and our boss David Moyes could do no more than grimace. I have written five letters to PGMOL this season questioning decisions. All you get back are pictures from the rulebook and justifications of the decisions.
“There’s something unbalanced when a manager can cavort when his team scores but cannot protest sensibly at a bad goal given against.”
Will West Ham United qualify for the Europa League under David Moyes?
While every team will feel like decisions never go their way, it does genuinely seem like West Ham have got on the wrong end of several poor calls from officials so far this season, with very few decisions benefitting Moyes’ side.
While Phillips’ challenge in the Hammers’ defeat to Newcastle was clumsy, the midfielder was in absolutely no position to know where Gordon was on the pitch and made no attempt to harm the winger.
As Brady suggested, neither she nor Moyes can do anything to try and put a stop to these controversial moments in games as the PGMOL either doesn’t listen to complaints or managers are punished for speaking out against officials.
Hopefully, some consistency will be found with VAR sooner rather than later as it is ruining the spectacle of matches. Until then, it will be interesting to see whether Brady backs Moyes with a new deal beyond the end of the season.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged over Phillips’ long-term future at the London Stadium and Manchester City
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