Listen: West Ham’s rage at Premier League officials as VAR audio is published

West Ham is seething with frustration today as VAR audio recordings from the controversial incident against the Blades have been made public, fueling outrage among fans, players, and manager David Moyes.

The team’s winless streak in 2024 has only added to their discontent, with a recent match against Sheffield United intensifying their grievances.

In a sequence of events during injury time, West Ham felt doubly wronged. First, they conceded a penalty to Sheffield United, despite replays clearly showing the Blades’ striker elbowing Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in the face, necessitating a substitution due to a burst lip.

Despite this, Sheffield United scored the penalty, adding insult to injury. Moments later, West Ham was denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when Jarrod Bowen was wrestled to the ground by Sheffield United’s captain in the dying seconds of the game. Despite appeals and a brief VAR check, the decision was dismissed, leaving Moyes and the team incredulous.

To compound matters, Sheffield United’s captain taunted West Ham and the Premier League on social media, seemingly admitting to the foul. The controversial incident drew condemnation from pundits, journalists, and former referees, with many labeling it one of the worst VAR decisions of the season.

The released VAR audio footage from Anel Ahmedhodžić's last minute foul on Jarrod Bowen that wasn’t given 🤔

pic.twitter.com/z67d4toaVN

— COYIrons (@COYIronscom) February 21, 2024

Now, as the VAR audio is released, West Ham fans are reacting with fury, particularly at the dismissive manner in which their penalty claims were handled. Despite clear evidence showing the Blades player wrestling Bowen to the ground, the VAR officials assert that Bowen was the aggressor, without further examination of the incident.

This revelation has left anyone associated with West Ham bewildered, as they grapple with the unjust treatment they perceive from Premier League officials.