West Ham United were defeated by Brentford on Sunday afternoon – but the Bees had some assistance in the form of a controversial handall decision in the second half.
In the 69th minute, Danny Ings found the back of the net – but after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out due to a purported handball from starboy Divin Mubama.
Many Hammers fans were quick to point out that Mubama’s hand was up to cushion his impact with the post – as such, they believed that the decision to rule out Ings’ goal was an erroneous one.
how is var allowed to get away with this
— dakotah 🏴 (@dakotahwhu) May 14, 2023
But, even though that is the rule I actually think this was the correct decision subjectively as the contact with Mubama's arm/hand clearly effected the play in terms of the goal being scored.
— Nick Lowery ⚒️ (@nick_lowery) May 15, 2023
Anyone notice how VAR only showed the ref slow mo of the Mubama ‘handball’?
It completely takes it out of context.
Mubama would have knocked himself out without using his hands for protection
— IRONS (@IRONSSSS) May 14, 2023
So you can use your arm to cushion your fall, but not to cushion clashing into the post. Also, Mubama didn’t directly assist or score with his arm, and it wasn’t even 100% that it hit his arm or his shoulder.
Genuinely think VAR makes up the handball rule as they go.
— Michael Zdenek (@MichaelZdenek) May 14, 2023
What’s he supposed to do 😭
— AntoniFans (@Antoni_Fans) May 14, 2023
The standard of VAR gets worse every week. It’s literally hit Mubama’s shoulder after bouncing off the post. Even if it did hit his arm, it didn’t directly lead to the goal so why has it been disallowed. We could have fought back & got a point if it’s given.
— Jason Inge (@jasoninge) May 14, 2023
Nevertheless, despite the questionable decision from the referee to rule out Ings’ effort, it was a poor performance over 90 minutes from West Ham.
The Irons were already 2-0 down at the time of the controversial call from referee Michael Oliver. Bryan Mbuemo opened the scoring on the 20th minute – this effort was then followed up by Yoane Wissa after a flicked header from Ben Mee.
West Ham will be hoping for an improved performance on Thursday evening, when they will take on AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final.