Lengthy VAR Review in West Ham vs. Aston Villa Draws Criticism

Howard Webb the chief refereeing officer for PGMOL acknowledged that VAR processes needed improvement after a lengthy delay during West Ham United’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. Despite Villa securing a crucial point in their top-four race VAR intervened to disallow a goal scored by West Ham’s Tomas Soucek due to handball.

Referee Jarred Gillett initially awarded the goal but overturned it after VAR review, causing frustration among fans due to the lengthy delay, which lasted five and a half minutes. Webb explained that while the decision was ultimately correct there were areas where the process could have been quicker.

He clarified that such decisions involve subjective judgment leading to the referee’s on-field review. Despite the delay, the correct outcome was reached as Soucek was deemed to have deliberately handled the ball.