West Ham’s frustration with Premier League officials has reached a boiling point today after the release of VAR audio from the controversial incident against the Blades.
The Hammers have been struggling to secure a win in 2024, and their recent game against Sheffield United added insult to injury. Despite an obvious foul on Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, the VAR awarded a penalty to Sheffield United, allowing them to score. Then, in the dying moments of the game, West Ham was denied what looked like a clear penalty on Jarrod Bowen. Even after a brief VAR check, their appeals were dismissed, much to the disbelief of fans, players, and manager David Moyes.
To add salt to the wound, Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic provocatively admitted to committing a foul on social media after the game. Pundits, journalists, and former referees all agreed that it was one of the worst VAR decisions of the season, with even ex referee chief Keith Hackett acknowledging that West Ham was robbed.
The release of the VAR audio has only fueled the fury of West Ham fans, especially with the dismissive and flippant manner in which the penalty claims were handled. Despite clear evidence showing Ahmedhodzic wrestling Bowen to the ground, the VAR officials claimed it was Bowen who pulled him down, leaving everyone connected with West Ham baffled and incensed.
