VAR drama denies Hammers last-gasp point
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What happened in the West Ham vs Sheffield United match?
Sheffield United have taken all three points at Bramall Lane, capitalising on a goalkeeping error to go 1-0 up in the second half. West Ham thought they had equalised, but Declan Rice handled the ball there, which meant that this goal was disallowed after consultation with the VAR. To rapturous scenes at Bramall Lane with the Sheffield United fans, but Declan Rice is now with Patrick Davison.
Declan, very hard to clear your head and think straight right now, I'm sure, but what are the emotions?
Well, we're fuming, really. All the lads in there are livid. Obviously, it was a tough place to come. They've been excellent all season, and credit to them, they grinded it out again and won the game. These places are tough to come. I thought we'd done well. We knew what we were up against. We created some chances ourselves, missed some chances. And, of course, the goal at the end there, that's a tough one to take because a point on the road here would have been good for us.
Did you have any inkling at all When you put Snodgrass in, the goal goes in, that it might get checked, that it'd hit your hand?
Why was Declan Rice's goal disallowed?
Nah.
I just watched it back there before we come on camera and he's knocked the ball into my hand. I know I'm in a forward running motion and he's headed the ball into my hand. Of course, if you're running with your arms like that and the ball's hit your arm now, the rule, like you said, is handball, but I'm not intentionally meant to handball it. Of course, you play on, Mike's not seen it and then VAR's checked it and they've disallowed the goalers. It's a real kick in the teeth.
You and I did discuss this briefly off camera. Is it your view, and I know this is all very fresh, but the problem is the handball rule or VAR?
I think it's just not me. Well, I don't think it's just me. I think it's the thoughts of every Premier League player that I don't think pretty much anyone wants to have VAR in the game. There's been so many decisions this season that's been absolutely crazy. Obviously, sometimes it works, but you see they're celebrating VAR like it's a goal.
What emotions did Declan Rice express after the match?
Football shouldn't be like that. The emotions there, the West Ham fans showing when we've equalised eight, that's real emotion. They're celebrating VAR. I don't think we're all too happy with it, to be honest, but it's in the game now and we've just got to get on with it.
Is it the case that it just... it somehow doesn't feel fair.
It just doesn't feel right. Yeah, exactly that. Look, it's on there again. I just can't get over it, the way he's knocked it into my hand. I'm not intentionally meant to handball the ball. They've checked it and, mate, I can't get over it, to be honest. It's crazy. Like I said, that would have been a great point on the road. My emotions are coming out, but... you know, that's football.
And like you say, as you celebrate it, I know we kind of got over this, but as you're jogging back and celebrating, it's not even in your head at all that it might not stand.
No, I'm thinking it's a good point on the road. I'm thinking, yeah, buzzing, you know, I've ran 20 metres up the pitch, won the ball, got it down, slipped in, snodged and, you know, we scored a great goal as a team. You know, the emotions, you're celebrating with the fans and you're thinking buzzing, yes. And then as soon as Mike blows the whistle and they check for a possible handball, I don't think there's been many handballs turned over this season. So when I was speaking to the Sheffield lads, they said, look, if it hits you around this handball, and I just pretty much turned away and walked away. I knew it was it then. Thanks for coming out. No, go ahead.
Well, Declan Rice frustrated because, as he pointed out, he didn't intend to handle the ball. However, the IFAB did change the rules over the summer and any player that handles the ball and then goes on to score or creates the opportunity for someone to score, that goal will be disallowed. By the laws of the game, Declan Rice did handle the ball. created the opportunity for the goal to be scored, and so it was disallowed.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What happened in the West Ham vs Sheffield United match?
0:06–1:18
2
Why was Declan Rice's goal disallowed?
1:18–2:12
3
What emotions did Declan Rice express after the match?
2:12–4:47
4
What are the implications of the handball rule in football?
4:47–7:59
5
How do players feel about VAR in the Premier League?
7:59–14:54
6
What are the current issues with the handball rule?
14:54–21:33
Speakers
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