Rio Ferdinand Strongly Criticizes VAR Call in Arsenal vs West Ham Clash

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Rio Ferdinand Strongly Criticizes VAR Call in Arsenal vs West Ham Clash

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated May 11, 2026 3:23 PM ET

Yesterday, West Ham United and Arsenal played each other in a crucial Premier League game for both teams. West Ham is playing to avoid relegation, while Arsenal is playing for the league title.

Arsenal won the match 1-0 away from home, but late in the match, West Ham United thought they had equalized the game from a corner kick.

Callum Wilson scored in the 95th minute, but VAR disallowed the goal due to a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The decision was overturned after minutes of referee Chris Kavanah reviewing the play through the VAR monitor.

Pablo of West Ham United fouls David Raya of Arsenal resulting in a late equalising goal for West Ham being disallowed by VAR during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

The decision caused lots of controversy among many Premier League fans, as the decision was a very important one for the title race and for the relegation battle this season.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand had his say on the incident on the
Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast and criticizes the VAR decision.

Rio Ferdinand on VAR in West Ham vs Arsenal

Rio Ferdinand was not a fan of how VAR decided to disallow a West Ham United goal against Arsenal yesterday. Ferdinand was not happy to see the decision taking so long and questioned why Arsenal fouls were not called during the play.

Ferdinand agrees that Raya was fouled in the play, but questions about other fouls in the box from Arsenal players.

Ferdinand said, "VAR is sh*t, let's have it right. How can it take five minutes? There is 2 or 3 fouls that were going on before the foul against [David] Raya. Yes, it's a foul against Raya. 100%.

The former Manchester United captain continued and said, "But there is 2 or 3 fouls that should go against Arsenal in that phase of play. If you are going to give Raya's one [foul], those ones [other fouls] should be considered first... In the phase of play, there's 2 or 3 fouls that are going on around that, that you should be giving... And it took them five minutes to come to the wrong decision."