A life-changing decision - how a foul on an Arsenal goalkeeper divided England

It was perhaps the most important refereeing decision of the season, a decision that divided the English football public, but one that only the West Ham players and coaching staff, the direct victims in this case, can say was unjustly disallowed for a 1-1 draw in stoppage time in the duel with Arsenal.

Chief Arbitrator Chris Kavanagh had a tough job, so did the VAR room, but the footage they saw was seen by the whole world - Three fouls were committed on Gunners goalkeeper David Ray, which is why Callum Wilson's goal for 1:1 had to be disallowedIt would be a shame if it wasn't because it might cost Arsenal the title.

This is how the leader celebrated with a goal Leandro Trosar, they have maintained a five-point lead with a game in hand over Manchester City, and with three rounds remaining in the Premier League, they have everything in their hands. For West Ham, on the other hand, the fight for survival is getting tougher.

The disallowed goal at the Olympic Stadium is the number one topic, it has sparked numerous controversies and is absolutely being talked about more than Arsenal's victory itself.

There are many who claim that Arsenal were awarded many goals when they were aggressive towards the opposing goalkeepers in the same way. That story definitely has a cover, but the fact remains that the foul on Raj was as clean as a tear. The point is that the referees are not consistent in their decisions, that is what needs to be changed in the protocols.

"We can't lose our sanity just because it's Arsenal. This is a foul and if it hadn't been called it would have been a disaster," said the former Liverpool midfielder. Danny Murphy.

The footage says Raju is an opposing player. Pablo simultaneously held his arm and neck, and also pulled him from behind by his shirt and Jean-Claire TodiboIn the penalty area at that moment, he was holding Pablo with both hands. Trosar, in Kavanagh's opinion, there were no elements for a penalty.

- I'm sure the referees made the right decision - says the former referee Mark Helsi.

He explained:

- It was a big decision, the nature of the game and its importance influenced it even more and it is not easy from a referee's point of view because it is impossible to make both sides happy. There was a lot going on in the penalty area after that stoppage, I believe there were 11-12 fouls, but the moment that stands out and I think we can all agree on is Pablo obstructing Rayo, and Todibo pulling him by the shirt. The pressure on Kavanagh was huge, as well as on Darena England in the VAR room, but the decision they made is the only correct one in my opinion - added Helsi.

West Ham (and probably Manchester City) are not satisfied, although it seems they went a little overboard.

"All of us who play football know that it's not a clear foul," said the West Ham manager. Nuno Espirito Santo.

Striker Jarrod Bowen he pointed out:

- If it's an obvious foul, then why did it take five minutes to watch the video from 12-13 angles?

Perhaps he could have found the answer in the statement of the former assistant judge. Darena Kana who was talking about exactly that in the BBC studio.

- Five minutes is a long time to watch a video, but at such an important moment, it is much more important to be sure that you have made the right decision, so let the review take as long as it takes, than to decide in 30 seconds and make a mistake - Dan stated.

The legendary goalkeeper is among the commentators Peter Schmeichel - and he had something to say...

- What particularly angers me is that Arsenal would not have been at the top of the Premier League if it hadn't been for goals from set pieces. That's how they've come to so many points - blocking opponents, holding them down and such. I don't think the referee's decision was good. I don't understand why suddenly it's a foul, when throughout the season for many teams, including Arsenal, it wasn't. I think this was the wrong decision on many levels - believes the famous Manchester United goalkeeper.

The refereeing profession has no dilemma - the decision is correct, Arsenal's opponents think differently, and what does the manager of the league leaders say? Mikel Arteta?

- For the first time, watching everything that happens, I realized how difficult a referee's job is. I criticize when I think I should, now I'm convinced that the decision was right and all credit to Cavani - Arteta was brief.