David Moyes fuming with VAR for Tottenham opener in West Ham defeat: 'I can't believe it'
Tottenham opener seemed to brush the arm of Davinson Sanchez before hitting Tomas Soucek and falling into the net
Wednesday 24 June 2020 14:36, UK
David Moyes was left fuming with VAR's decision not to disallow Tottenham's opener for a handball in their 2-0 win over West Ham.
After VAR had correctly disallowed Heung-Min Son's strike in the first half for a marginal offside, the VAR David Coote allowed Tomas Soucek's own goal to stand, despite the ball seemingly brushing off the arm of Davinson Sanchez before hitting Soucek.
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Spurs went on to win 2-0 thanks to Harry Kane's second, but Moyes was furious with the video technology for the second time this season, after Robert Snodgrass' goal was ruled out in West Ham's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United in January.
Moyes told Sky Sports: "I can't believe they've ruled that as a goal. The rules are that any handball that leads to a goal is disallowed? We had a great goal ruled out against Sheffield United for something - and they've not ruled that one out? Who was on VAR tonight? They need subbed, I know that. Not very good, eh?
"That's the rule. I don't think it's a particularly good rule but it's the rule. For them not to give that tonight? I can't believe it. I can't believe it."
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Moyes later added in his post-match press conference: "I thought that every ball that hit an arm and led to a goal was to be chalked off.
"I am asking who is it making that decision? We scored a really good goal in the 90th minute at Sheffield United and the boy claimed it was handball and we couldn't believe it.
"Do I think it is a good rule? No I don't. Whoever it was on VAR tonight, didn't do his job right because he didn't abide by the rules we were told we are supposed to play to."
'Spurs get away with one... I feel Moyes' pain'
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp believes Tottenham were fortunate not to see the goal disallowed for handball...
"By the letter of the law, Spurs get away with one. It should have been disallowed. I'm not a big fan of the rule, it's ball to hand - a complete accident. But we've seen goals disallowed for it this season, Gabriel Jesus for Manchester City. The ball just glides of Sanchez's arm. It's minimal, but the goal shouldn't of stood. It's a rubbish rule.
"I feel [Moyes'] pain. These are the moments that can keep you up. You are asking people to do their jobs correctly. Moyes has asked his players to do their jobs - if people at Stockley Park can't do their jobs that's not helping his cause. It was a big moment in the game.
"The guy involved has been involved in a few games where there has been mistakes - it's not right, you've got to do your job properly."
Also speaking on Sky Sports, Bobby Zamora said: "I'm upset. The VAR has the access to the footage. I don't see if the rule is that clear how he can make a mistake."
Coote's previous VAR blunders
Tuesday's game was not the first time Coote has made errors as the VAR referee. On February 22, he oversaw two games from Stockley Park and made glaring mistakes in both.
The first also included Tottenham, coming in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, when Giovani Lo Celso appeared to stamp on Cesar Azpilicueta's leg but Coote decided it was not serious foul play. The PGMOL later apologised for the 'human error' in failing to dismiss Lo Celso.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Ref Watch at the time: "It should have been a red card. I don't think there's any doubt about it, I think everyone expected a red card and looking back, everyone has said it should have been.
"What happened is, I think the VAR, who came to his conclusion looked at it and wanted to be sure, and has changed his mind a few times."
Later in the day, during Manchester City's 1-0 win against Leicester, a free-kick from James Maddison hit Kevin De Bruyne on the arm, which was raised up to protect his face, inside the penalty area. The incident was seen by Paul Tierney but not referred to the VAR, who again was Coote.
Gallagher added: "He puts his hand up to protect his face and then turns away. I think that's what the VAR judges, that it's not a clear and obvious error. I think if you give a penalty, nobody would argue, but VAR felt by the time he turned away the ball was too close to him, it hit him, but that was the outcome."
