VAR's most-controversial decisions as West Ham left furious following Arsenal defeat

WATCH NOW: Nuno Espirito Santo rages at VAR after West Ham loss to Arsenal

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 11/05/2026

- 11:24

GB News Sports Editor Jack Otway takes a look at other times the technology has raised eyebrows

Following Sunday's match between West Ham and Arsenal, the Hammers have been left furious.

They thought they'd snatched a draw when Callum Wilson rifled home from close range, sparking wild scenes around the London Stadium.


Yet following a VAR review that lasted over four minutes, referee Chris Kavanagh opted to disallow the goal due to what he believed was a foul on David Raya.

In the short time since, it has become the biggest talking point in football.

Raya was grappling with Pablo Fornals - but there were other things going on, too.

Declan Rice, for example, was seen holding Konstantinos Mavropanos. Arsenal, who are known for being heavy-handed during set-pieces, have faced criticism all season long for the way they conduct themselves during these incidents.

Rightly or wrongly, the goal ultimately was chalked off. Arsenal won't care, with the club now just two victories away from a first Premier League title since 2004.

GB News will now take a look at some of the most-controversial VAR moments in Premier League history.

1) West Ham 0-1 Arsenal (2026)

West Ham were deprived of a point in their Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday

West Ham were deprived of a point in their Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday

|

PA

In the 95th minute, Wilson’s equaliser seemed to shift the title race toward Manchester and West Ham toward safety.

After 17 replays and a punishing delay, Kavanagh disallowed the goal for a subjective foul on Raya.

Gary Neville termed it "the most significant overrule in history." Arsenal stayed five points clear at the summit, while West Ham were left in the relegation zone.

Should Tottenham beat Leeds tonight, the Hammers' drop to the Championship will be all but confirmed.

2) Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool (2023)

Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz had a goal chalked off by VAR as Tottenham beat Liverpool in 2023

|
GETTY

Perhaps the most "perfect" failure in the system’s history.

Luis Díaz scored a clearly onside goal, but a communication breakdown between the VAR room and the referee led to the goal being ruled out.

The VAR official mistakenly thought the on-field decision was "goal," saying "check complete" and inadvertently confirming the offside flag.

Liverpool lost the match and eventually missed out on the title by a slim margin, leading to the first-ever public release of VAR audio.

3) Aston Villa 0-0 Sheffield United (2020)

In the first match of the "Project Restart" era, Villa keeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball a yard over his own line

In the first match of the "Project Restart" era, Villa keeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball a yard over his own line

|

GETTY

In the first match of the "Project Restart" era, Villa keeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball a yard over his own line.

Despite the visual evidence, the Goal-Line Technology failed to trigger, and VAR refused to intervene.

The "glitch" secured Villa a point they didn't earn. Since they survived relegation by a single point over Bournemouth, this technical blackout remains the most expensive error in Premier League history.

4) Everton 0-1 Manchester City (2022)

Everton were enraged when Rodri escaped action during a match with Manchester City in 2022

Everton were enraged when Rodri escaped action during a match with Manchester City in 2022

|

GETTY

With City leading late on, midfielder Rodri clearly controlled the ball with his arm inside the penalty area.

Despite clear replays, VAR official Kavanagh (again at the centre of controversy) decided there was no "clear and obvious" reason to award a penalty.

The PGMOL issued a formal apology to Everton. With City eventually winning the league by just one point over Liverpool, the decision effectively decided the destination of the trophy.

5) Wolves 1-2 West Ham (2024)

A 99th-minute Max Kilman equaliser was chalked off because a Wolves player in an offside position was deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper\u2019s vision

A 99th-minute Max Kilman equaliser was chalked off because a Wolves player in an offside position was deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper’s vision

|

GETTY

A 99th-minute Max Kilman equaliser was chalked off because a Wolves player in an offside position was deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper’s vision.

Manager Gary O’Neil labelled the decision "scandalous" and "disgusting."

The fury was so intense that Wolves later forced a Premier League vote to abolish VAR entirely, marking the first time the clubs attempted to bin the technology.

6) Manchester United 1-0 Wolves (2023)

In his United debut, Andre Onana wiped out Wolves forward Sa\u0161a Kalajd\u017ei\u0107 while missing a cross entirely

In his United debut, Andre Onana wiped out Wolves forward Saša Kalajdžić while missing a cross entirely

|
PA

In his United debut, Andre Onana wiped out Wolves forward Saša Kalajdžić while missing a cross entirely.

It was a textbook penalty, yet both the referee and VAR remained unmoved.

The officials were stood down for the following week. United secured all three points through Raphael Varane.