By Joe Ellis

5th Sep, 2022 | 8:10pm

West Ham United controversy v Chelsea sparks ex-FIFA official agreement

West Ham United should have taken a point away from Chelsea but they were denied by the late intervention of VAR at Stamford Bridge.

Maxwel Cornet’s late goal was chalked off after VAR decided that Jarrod Bowen had somehow fouled Edouard Mendy in the Blues’ net and the Irons were denied their deserved equaliser.

Ex-FIFA official Mark Halsey was incensed at the decision and wrote about the shocking nature of the goal which sparked a reaction on Twitter from Keith Hackett, another who has officiated at the very top of the game.

“I agree with Mark a shocking call and Referee Madley dumped in the mire by his colleague,” he said via his personal Twitter account as VAR took centre stage across the weekend.

West Ham now have to regroup and start their Europa Conference League campaign strongly against FC Steaua Bucharest on Thursday before the visit of Newcastle United on Sunday in the Premier League.

Move past it

It is perfectly acceptable to feel upset at the decision that cost West Ham two points on the day but the ship has now sailed and everyone has to move on to the next game.

David Moyes and his troops will have already done so after certain rants on Twitter and to the media because they cannot hang about on what could have been because they have a very important week coming up.

At some point this season, it will be the Hammers that get away with a blatant error with either VAR or the referee and everyone will have forgotten about this incident.

It is not worth the time dwelling on it anymore after the PGMOL admitted their faults over the weekend in various games so the deal can now be buried for good.

Eddie Howe’s Magpies have their own vendetta against VAR and with both teams coming together at the weekend, they will hope to not mention the technology.