West Ham captain Declan Rice has jumped to the defence of referee Peter Bankes following his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday. The Hammers were forced to endure a nervy finish to the game after being denied a penalty by the officials in the first half that would have given them a two-goal lead.
Said Benhrama put the Hammers ahead after 17 minutes after the winger managed to break free from United defenders before firing an incredibly tame effort towards goal. However, David de Gea failed to keep the shot out despite getting a hand to it, sending the London Stadium into a frenzy.
The Algeria international then could have given his side the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot after receiving the ball on the right and delivering a cross before it was blocked by the arm of Victor Lindelof inside the box. The defender appeared to stretch his arm into the path of the ball, but the on-field referee and linesman decided not to point to the spot.
VAR reviewed the incident and, much to the bemusement of the West Ham supporters, decided not to overrule the decision or even ask the ref to review it. However, Rice does not put the blame on Bankes for the incident, feeling that those at Stockley Park are not doing enough to help referees.
Asked for his some ‘bizarre’ VAR decisions after the win, the England international said: “They’re going against us at the minute. I don’t get involved because, look, what can they do, the referees?
“They’re being told from them at Stockley Park, it’s up to them at Stockley Park to tell the ref what’s happening and I think the refs sometimes get a bit of stick when they shouldn’t.
“I haven’t seen them (the decisions) back yet but I’m claiming the penalty if everyone else is saying it!”
Ex-West Ham attacker Joe Cole also had his say on the incident after watching several replays of the incident, saying: “Without a doubt. 100 per cent [it’s a penalty]. You’ve got to punish bad defending. He’s reacted and he’s moved his arm towards the ball. I don’t understand for the life of me why VAR [hasn’t said it’s a penalty].
“It just does not make sense. It killed West Ham against Liverpool when they didn’t go and have a look and it’s happened again. If you’re David Moyes, you’d be furious. It’s a nailed-on pen.”
Thankfully for Moyes, the decision did not prove decisive though the moment of madness from Lindelof will certainly stir up further debate about VAR and its use.
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