(Credit: Imago)

Daniel Lewis

Mon 11 May 2026 11:10, UK

Howard Webb must take account amid the massive fallout from West Ham United‘s defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Lenadro Trossard’s 83rd-minute goal was the difference between the city rivals at the London Stadium in a dramatic Premier League showdown.

However, the big talking point would arrive 10 minutes or so later as Callum Wilson thumped home what he thought was an equaliser.

Arsenal’s players felt David Raya was blocked from getting to the initial cross into the box by Pablo, however, and VAR intervened.

As the debate over West Ham’s loss to Arsenal continues to rumble on, former FIFA official Keith Hackett has shared his exclusive views with West Ham Zone.

PGMOL need to step in to prevent more debate

The general consensus is that the decision to rule out West Ham’s goal against Arsenal was the right one.

However, it is also accepted that these decisions are sometimes given and other times they are completely overlooked.

In the view of Hackett, who once held the role Webb currently occupies, it is on him and the PGMOL body to make clear what constitutes a free-kick and what doesn’t.

“This outcome is entirely on the shoulders of the PGMOL,” Hackett said. “I have been stating very clearly that ignoring the grappling, holding and blocking, the image of the game is more akin to rugby.

“I’ve recently said if I was the owner of a football club, I would employ a wrestler from WWE. You do not require any change in law.

“Referees have failed to apply the law by not penalising the offence when it takes place. This is down to the management of the PGMOL, who have failed in their duty to instruct their officials to apply the law.

“They, through their employees, have allowed ‘grappling’ to go unpunished. These unpunished offences are taking place when the ball is in play.

“When suddenly a VAR intervenes and a ‘goal’ is disallowed at such a crucial moment in a game, it is a massive surprise instead of being the norm.

“PGMOL, you reap what you sow. Howard Webb, it’s on your watch – sort it.”

As Hackett rightly says, this “massive” issue would not have been an issue at all if similar offences had not been allowed to pass by without intervention.

West Ham already take next steps after disallowed Arsenal goal

West Ham’s players were rightly furious at full-time as they surrounded referee Chris Kavanagh. The man who made the biggest call, though, was VAR Darren England.

England felt it necessary to intervene and then ask Kavanagh to check his pitchside monitor.

According to multiple reports on Monday morning ,West Ham have already contacted PGMOL to raise concerns over the disallowed goal.

What will likely happen is West Ham will get a response and then the governing body will hope the matter is brushed under the carpet.

But given the magnitude of the decision at both ends of the table, this is a topic that will not be going away any time soon.