Refs' chief Webb confirms grappling consultation after disallowed West Ham goal

West Ham have injury-time goal disallowed as Arsenal go five clear

A consultation about excessive grappling in the penalty area and how to deal with it will take place at the end of the season, referees' chief Howard Webb says.

Webb confirmed the move after explaining why disallowing West Ham's last-ditch equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday was the correct decision.

Callum Wilson thought he had rescued a Premier League point for the Hammers on Sunday in the fifth minute of stoppage time, only for the video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene for a foul by Pablo on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.

The decision was controversial, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win and impacting not only the fate of the two clubs, but also Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at either end of the Premier League table.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the VAR, Darren England, had showed "a lot of courage" to rule out the goal, while West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo criticised a "lack of consistency" by referees.

Webb, speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, said the foul on Raya had to be penalised.

"Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes," Webb said.

"We've said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can't do their job, they'll be penalised.

"We're not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we're talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper's arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.

"Raya can't do what he would normally do in that situation, simply catch the ball or punch the ball, and they intervene, and they come to the right decision.

"When you look at that in the round, that's clearly the clear and obvious offence that needs penalising."

The audio showed that a number of other possible fouls had been considered, including Leandro Trossard on Pablo, with the VAR team flagging them to the referee.

Webb backed the VAR team's view by saying that "the most significant contact undoubtedly is that on the goalkeeper".

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Grappling, holding and pushing has become a theme in the Premier League this season.

Webb said that, at the end of the season, discussions will be held about how to police it.

"We consult all the time with the clubs, with the fan groups, with a range of other stakeholders about the type of game that they want to see and how they want us to officiate it," Webb added.

"This season's been a little bit more unique than previous ones about the number of contacts in the penalty area, and it does create a challenge for the officials.

"We'll certainly continue consulting with all of the people I mentioned earlier about the type of game they want to see, because we have seen more involvement from set-piece coaches bringing players together in these areas, looking for those marginal gains.

"But we need to be vigilant. We need to identify those clear actions that are impactful.

"We've penalised more holding penalties than we did last year, but we've missed some as well."