Howard Webb, the head of the English Premier League refereeing body, has released an official statement addressing the controversial incident that occurred during the recent match between West Ham United and Arsenal.
Details: Webb confirmed that the decision to disallow a late goal by West Ham was correct, citing a clear foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. He stated, “Is that a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically—yes,” which seeks to settle ongoing discussions among fans.
“Is that a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically—yes,” Webb declared, putting an end to the fans’ debate.
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Emphasizing the importance of protecting goalkeepers, Webb noted that any action that impedes their ability to play will be penalized. This ruling maintained the victory for Mikel Arteta’s squad. He further added that the VAR system functioned effectively in this case, promptly detecting the physical interference that hindered Raya’s performance.
For the record: Arsenal are ready to spend €90 million on Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler.