West Ham are set to contact referees’ body the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) over their late equaliser being disallowed against Arsenal.

The Hammers had appeared to have dealt a significant blow to the Gunners’ title hopes as well as boosting their own Premier League survival prospects when Callum Wilson struck in stoppage time on Sunday.

But after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the goal was ruled out for a foul by Pablo on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

West Ham will raise concerns and request further explanation from PGMO following the controversial decision.

The Gunners went on to win 1-0, taking them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and making West Ham’s future that bit more uncertain as they sit in 18th place, with Tottenham Hotspur a point above them before the host Leeds on Monday.

Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes VAR “did a really good job” in disallowing the goal.

“It’s a clear foul,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show.

“You’re going to obviously get a lot of people saying they think it should have stood because it’s controversial and probably all the Manchester City players, staff, fans are going to say it should have stood. And then you’re going to get all the Tottenham fans, players, and staff saying it shouldn’t have stood and of course the Arsenal fans and stuff.

“But it’s a clear foul. I think 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.

“It’s the one time I actually think VAR has done a really good job in such an important game.”

Despite being satisfied the correct decision was made, Rooney lamented the advantage goalkeepers get inside their own area.

“I think where VAR is consistent and the referees are consistent – and I hate it – is you go anywhere near the goalkeeper and it’s a foul,” he said.

“You go anywhere near the goalkeeper and you give a foul. Throughout my career as a player, I’ve had a dislike for goalkeepers because of that reason. I think because they can jump with their arms and so they have got a big advantage and normally they come out with their knees and the studs down your back and stuff.

“But I think it is consistent with goalkeepers that [if] you go near them, they normally get a free-kick.”

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann on Match of the Day: “I don’t think anyone would want to trade places with Darren England. Nobody would want to be sitting in that chair. 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 on Match of the Day: “The thing that grates [on] me is we have seen on numerous occasions with Arsenal this season, goalkeepers and defenders getting blocked off and the goal stands. Everyone is frustrated about the consistency of the refereeing decision. Why are some goals allowed to stand and this was disallowed? There is so much at stake at the bottom of the league and the very top.

“The other thing is Gabriel is holding, Odegaard is holding, Trossard is holding before the foul even happens on Raya. When does the referee decide that’s the foul he wants to pick and not the previous foul?”

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on Match of the Day: “The controversy and discontent around West Ham not being given the goal is because it’s Arsenal. They can’t be held accountable for decisions in the past.

“The VAR officials have got to say what they see and it’s a clear foul. Just because it’s Arsenal we shouldn’t get it distorted.”

Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is a foul. You are looking at two players fouling the goalkeeper. There have been so many of these this season, it has been such a talked-about topic, there has been such inconsistency with it so for it to come down to this is huge.

“It just feels like for VAR, for West Ham, for Arsenal in particular with their set-pieces, has been the topic of the season.

“In isolation – foul. There were five or six fouls going on at the same time in there but it’s where the ball landed. Then you think about consistency – there hasn’t been any.”

A delegation from Chelsea F.C. paid a courtesy visit to Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi at his palace in Lagos.

The visit featured former Super Eagles star and ex-Chelsea player, Victor Moses, who played a prominent role in the delegation.

Oba Elegushi warmly received the visitors, describing the engagement as a positive moment for football, culture and international collaboration.

The monarch also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between global football institutions and local communities in Nigeria.

The visit reflects Chelsea’s continued engagement with Nigerian football figures and traditional institutions, underscoring the club’s strong fan base and influence in the country.

He said, “Today, I hosted a delegation from Chelsea Football Club, UK #chelseafc which also included our ex-international, Victor Moses #victormoses, accompanied by Chelsea Fans club, Nigeria.

“I am honoured by the visit and I use the opportunity to inform the Chelsea team to support our local clubs and football academies, exploring partnerships that will benefit our teeming youths who want to play football.

“I am honoured by the visit and I use the opportunity to inform the Chelsea team to support our local clubs and football academies, exploring partnerships that will benefit our teeming youths who want to play football.

Pope Leo XIV received players, coaches, and directors of Inter Milan at the Vatican following the club’s victory in the 2025–2026 Italian league championship, praising the team’s achievement while urging them to reflect on their influence on young people.

In a post obtained from the Vatican’s X handle on Sunday, addressing the players and club officials, the Pope congratulated the team on its success but emphasised that sporting victories carry responsibilities beyond the football pitch.

“Reflect on the experience you have lived through,” the Pope told the delegation.

“May it become a message that is useful especially for the growth of young people,” he said.

He noted that millions of children and teenagers view professional footballers as role models and often imitate their attitudes and behaviour.

“Because of that influence, athletes must strive to promote values such as teamwork, discipline, humility, and respect,” he said.

“Young people observe not only how champions win, but also how they treat others, how they face difficulties, and how they carry themselves in moments of pressure,” he said.

He also warned against excessive individualism in modern sport, encouraging players to remember the collective effort behind every championship victory.

According to Vatican officials, the meeting concluded with a blessing for the team and their families. The Pope also offered prayers for young athletes around the world who look to sport as a source of hope and inspiration.

The atmosphere turned lighter near the end of the audience when Pope Leo joked about the emotional strain football places on supporters, drawing laughter from players and club executives alike.

Inter Milan’s visit continues a longstanding tradition of championship-winning teams meeting with pontiffs at the Vatican following major sporting achievements.