Refs chief Webb confirms grappling consultation

Breaking news from the world of sport: Disallowing West Ham's goal the right decision - Webb Figure caption, West Ham have injury-time goal disallowed as Arsenal go five clearByDale Johnson Football issues correspondentPublished17 minutes agoDisallowing West Ham's last-ditch equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday was the correct decision, says referees' chief Howard Webb. Webb added that at the end of the season there would be a consultation about excessive grappling in the penalty area and how to deal with it. Callum Wilson thought he had rescued a Premier League point for the Hammers on Sunday in the fifth minute of stoppage time, only for the video assistant referee to intervene for a foul by Pablo on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.

The decision was controversial, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win and impacting not only the fate of the two clubs, but also Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at either end of the Premier League table. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the VAR, Darren England, had showed "a lot of courage" to rule out the goal, while West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo criticised a "lack of consistency" by referees. Webb, speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, said the foul on Raya had to be penalised.

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"Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes," Webb said. "We've said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can't do their job, they'll be penalised.

"We're not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we're talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper's arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job. "Raya can't do what he would normally do in that situation, simply catch the ball or punch the ball, and they intervene, and they come to the right decision. "When you look at that in the round, that's clearly the clear and obvious offence that needs penalising.

"The audio showed that a number of other possible fouls had been considered, including Leandro Trossard on Pablo, and Webb backed the VAR team's view by saying that "the most significant contact undoubtedly is that on the goalkeeper". Five 'fouls' in one move - breaking down Premier League corner chaos Published1 day agoBiggest VAR call ever? Four chaotic minutes that may define the season Published1 day agoArteta praises officials' 'courage' for overturning West Ham equaliser Published1 day agoImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Referee Chris Kavanagh was shown the foul on David Raya as well as other possible fouls before disallowing West Ham's equaliserGrappling, holding and pushing has become a theme in the Premier League this season.

Webb said that, at the end of the season, discussions will be held about how to police it. "We consult all the time with the clubs, with the fan groups, with a range of other stakeholders about the type of game that they want to see and how they want us to officiate it," Webb added.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.