West Ham to Contact Referees' Body Over Disallowed Late Equalizer Against Arsenal

West Ham plan to contact the Professional Game Match Officials over their late equalizer disallowed in Sunday's match against Arsenal.

The Hammers thought they had struck a blow to the Gunners' title hopes and boosted their own survival chances when Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time. A video assistant referee review ruled out the goal for a foul by Pablo Fornals on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

West Ham will raise concerns with the referees' body and request further explanation on the decision. BBC Sport understands they also want the audio between referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR Darren England.

Arsenal won 1-0 to move five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. West Ham sit 18th, with Tottenham Hotspur one point above them ahead of Monday's game at Leeds.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney said VAR "did a really good job" disallowing the goal. "It's a clear foul," Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show. "You can clearly see the arm crosses his face and it impacts him getting to the ball. So I think it's the right decision."

Rooney added that VAR and referees consistently award fouls when players go near goalkeepers in their area. "I hate it," he said. "Throughout my career as a player, I've had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason."

On Match of the Day, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann said nobody would want to be in VAR Darren England's position. "He stepped up to the plate, he made the right decision and it's the biggest VAR call in Premier League history."

Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given questioned consistency. "We have seen on numerous occasions with Arsenal this season, goalkeepers and defenders getting blocked off and the goal stands," he said. "Gabriel is holding, Odegaard is holding, Trossard is holding before the foul even happens on Raya."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said the discontent stems from Arsenal's involvement but the VAR call was correct. "It's a clear foul. Just because it's Arsenal we shouldn't get it distorted."

Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, agreed it was a foul but highlighted inconsistency. "There were five or six fouls going on at the same time in there but it's where the ball landed. Then you think consistency - there hasn't been any."