West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has launched a fierce critique of VAR’s inconsistent use, following his side’s late equalizer against Arsenal being disallowed for a contentious foul on opposing keeper David Raya.
The Hammers, fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League, thought they had secured a vital point against the title contenders when Callum Wilson headed home from a corner, canceling out Leandro Trossard’s 82nd-minute opener.
However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was controversially ruled out. Officials judged West Ham striker Pablo Felipe had fouled Raya while challenging for the cross. Speaking after the match, Hermansen voiced his confusion over the decision, arguing that such contact is routine and rarely punished.
“If you ask any goalkeeper in the league whether he’s been illegally blocked, pulled, or pushed on corners this season, I don’t think you’ll find anyone who hasn’t experienced it. So to give this one, I’m not sure I understand why,” he said.
Hermansen further pointed to perceived inconsistencies, noting other unpunished infringements during the match. “Of course, we watched it afterward, and we can see there are shirt pulls on (Konstantinos) Mavropanos, shirt pulls on (Tomas) Soucek, even shirt pulls on Pablo before the goal. So to pick this situation…”
The goalkeeper admitted the foul itself was legitimate but questioned why it was applied in this instance. “You know, I agree it’s a foul. You can give the foul on the goalkeeper, definitely. But given what has been allowed this season—illegal blocks, pulls, pushes on goalkeepers—I don’t understand why this one was given. That’s all.”
Hermansen revealed he discussed the incident with his Arsenal counterpart after the match. “I spoke with David after the game, and I think we have the same experience on this matter this season,” he said. “Because, of course, he has every right to ask for a free kick or a foul on him. But I think you can find many situations this season where it’s been different.”