Peter Schmeichel has hit out at the VAR decision to disallow Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equaliser as Arsenal moved to the brink of their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike looked to have secured all three points before Callum Wilson struck a dramatic equaliser that appeared to have denied Arsenal the title.
AFRICA PICKS: Football tips and predictions
But VAR official Darren England spent over four minutes reviewing the incident before recommending referee Chris Kavanagh overturn the on-field decision. The goal was disallowed – a foul by West Ham’s Pablo on David Raya deemed to have directly impacted the outcome.
West Ham were furious. So was Schmeichel.
“The decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels,” the former Manchester United goalkeeper said. “What really makes me angry is that Arsenal would never be top of the league if that’s a free kick. That’s how they’ve scored so many goals – by blocking people, holding people, doing all kinds of things.”
ALSO: Real Madrid named world football’s biggest
Schmeichel did not stop there.
“It takes VAR five minutes, Darren England – the VAR – five minutes, and he runs it, start over again and start over again and start over. That in itself puts so much doubt into that decision that it cannot be a free kick. It cannot.”
The former goalkeeper also questioned the consistency of the decision, arguing similar incidents had been ignored throughout the season.
“That’s a free kick because it’s not been for any teams all the way throughout the season. All this, it’s just crazy. And that decision today, it’s just so wrong on so many levels.”
Not everyone agreed. Gary Neville called the decision “the biggest moment in VAR history” and backed England’s call. Ian Wright said it was “without doubt” correct. Jamie Redknapp called it “brave but right.”
Peter Schmeichel talking sense. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9NwdO0XJua
— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) May 10, 2026
Photo: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
