Wayne Rooney has joined the growing list of football figures criticising the controversial VAR decision that denied West Ham a dramatic late equaliser against Arsenal, describing the incident as “unacceptable” and insisting the Hammers were left feeling “robbed.”
The controversy came during the closing moments of Arsenal’s tense 1-0 victory over West Ham, when the home side believed they had snatched a crucial point deep into stoppage time. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up, sparking outrage among fans, pundits, and former players.
Rooney did not hide his frustration while reacting to the incident, questioning both the clarity and consistency of modern officiating in the Premier League.
“I’ve just watched that ending and honestly, I don’t understand how West Ham’s late goal gets ruled out like that. For me, that’s unacceptable. In a game with so much at stake, you can’t be cancelling goals in the final moments for decisions that fans can barely understand.
West Ham thought they had rescued something at the death and then suddenly it’s taken away that’s heartbreaking for players and supporters. Moments like that completely change matches. If that happened to certain clubs, people would be screaming about it for weeks.
For me, Arsenal got away with one tonight, and West Ham fans have every right to feel robbed.”
Rooney’s comments add further pressure on PGMOL and Premier League officials following one of the most debated VAR incidents of the season. West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen had already criticised the review process after the match, while reports suggest the club plans to contact PGMOL directly to seek further clarification over the decision.
The incident has divided opinion across football. Some analysts defended the ruling, arguing there was sufficient contact on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to justify the intervention. Others believe the review took too long and that the threshold for overturning the on-field decision was far too soft.
For Arsenal, the victory could prove massive in the Premier League title race. But rather than focusing on the three points, much of the conversation after the final whistle centred around VAR and whether the system is damaging the emotional side of football.
Rooney’s remarks reflect the frustration many supporters now feel with the game’s officiating standards, particularly in high-pressure moments where decisions can define an entire season. As the title race intensifies, scrutiny around refereeing consistency is only expected to grow louder.
