West Ham denied penalty against Chelsea after VAR review

During a London derby on Saturday, West Ham United faced Chelsea and were denied a penalty in the first half, which many fans believed was a clear foul. Referee Samuel Barrott did not award the penalty, leading to a VAR review of the incident involving Wesley Fofana and Crysencio Summerville. The VAR team concluded that Fofana's hold on Summerville was 'fleeting,' a term that frustrated viewers and sparked outrage on social media. Fans expressed disbelief over the decision, arguing that Fofana's actions clearly impeded Summerville's ability to play the ball. The Premier League Match Centre later confirmed that the referee's decision was upheld, stating that the holding was not sustained. Despite the controversy, Fofana received a yellow card later in the half for another foul on Summerville, though this occurred outside the penalty area. The match ended with Chelsea winning 3-0, with Jackson scoring two goals and assisting the third. The incident raised questions about the consistency and clarity of VAR decisions in the Premier League, with many fans feeling that the system is flawed and subjective, allowing for varying interpretations of similar situations across different matches.