Pre-season for West Ham has begun, and it’s like nothing’s changed for the Hammers.
Once again they’ve been hit with a shocking referee decision, this time being denied a blatant penalty before seeing a soft one given against them just moments later.
So even in China the ref favours the bigger team! Where’s VAR when you need it?!
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) July 17, 2019
The Irons have been one of the fan bases screaming the loudest for the introduction of VAR in the Premier League and their wishes have been granted. However, it seems they still have to get through pre-season without it.
After Felipe Anderson had already won a spot-kick after getting Man City left-back caught up in a knot before hand-balling it, the Hammers believed they’d won another penalty before having their claims waved away, just for referee Craig Pawson to award City a spot-kick when Lukas Nmecha went down under a challenge from Angelo Ogbonna.
In the Premier League, the Hammers will just hope that VAR intervenes with these incidents and stops them from being caught out by poor officiating decisions when it matters.
You can read the Irons’ verdict on the penalty incidents and need for VAR here:
That’s why the smaller clubs need it , we’d have been 2 up instead …. changes games
— Chris Watson (@cbubblesw) 17 July 2019
Fredericks should’ve won a pen and they then get awarded that rubbish
— Jordan Benning (@Westhamjordan92) 17 July 2019
Utter nonsense! We would have been 2-0 if it wasn’t for poor reffing. Linesman had a clear view!
— Stephen Quijano (@OkiStrangest3v3) 17 July 2019
The argument for VAR is over. Having the correct decision over a delay is worth it. At 2-0 that game is a totally different game.
— AppyAmmer (@AppyAmmer69) 17 July 2019
Unreal, two shocking decisions
— westhamram (@westhamram) 17 July 2019
Ridiculous ! But can still see the VAR refs initially still favouring the top sides
— PMarshall (@pbm1968) 17 July 2019
Typical, been calling for it for years, then it bends me over when used watching england play. Then when you do need it, it aint there.
— The West Ham Overlord (@lllcandymanlll) 17 July 2019