Advertisement

Premier League forced to release VAR statement during Chelsea vs West Ham after lengthy delay

VAR spent a number of minutes checking an offside call in Pedro Neto's goal vs West Ham
-Credit:(John Walton/PA Wire)


The Premier League were forced to release a statement explaining why there was a significant VAR delay following Pedro Neto's equaliser against West Ham.

Jarrod Bowen had put the Hammers in front during the first 45 minutes but Neto, off the bench, was able to grab the leveller after reacting quickest to an Enzo Fernandez shot that was saved. Though there appeared to be no major issues with the goal, VAR spent some time checking a potential offside.

Replays showed that Marc Guiu had made an attempt to play the ball from a cross that eventually reached Marc Cucurella. Moments later the ball ended up in the back of the net with the Spaniard clearly in an offside position if Guiu touched the ball, however it was deemed he did not.

READ MORE: Chelsea perform shock transfer U-turn on deadline day as agreement reached

READ MORE: Willian transfer latest as former Chelsea and Arsenal star in shock Premier League reunion

A Premier League statement read: "#CHEWHU – 64’ The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as there was no factual evidence that Guiu made contact with the ball in the build-up, therefore there was no offside offence."

Though the offside decision was cleared, Gary Neville took issue with the fact a potential foul by Levi Colwill on Bowen, which occurred a minute or so earlier, was not flagged in the check. It was however confirmed on sky Sports' commentary that the incident took place too long ago.

While the decision was being confirmed, Neville and Bill Leslie kept viewers up to date on exactly what was causing the wait. A full transcript of their conversation is below:

Gary Neville: He is offside. Trying to work out whether there's a touch on the ball that then ends up at Cucurella's feet.

Bill Leslie: If there's a touch from Marc Guiu then Marc Cucurella is offside and that evidence would appear to suggest that there is.

Gary Neville: Yeah a slight knick. Difficult to really spot. It's not clear evidence is it that the ball's hit his head.

Bill Leslie: The evidence needs to be clear. It has to be definitive.

Gary Neville: I don't think it is. I don't think it's clear that there's a touch on that at all.

Bill Leslie: The VAR, just to reiterate, has to look at the pictures and go, 'it definitely touches his head. If only he'd had a trim a couple of days ago he'd be fine.

Gary Neville: If they have to look at it this many times I think they're going to say, 'goal stands' for me.