Qudus SalihuThe Premier League has released the “eye-opening” VAR audio from West Ham United’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on January 6, 2026, shedding light on the controversial decision to disallow Crysencio Summerville’s potential second goal. In a match defined by high-stakes relegation tension, the Dutch winger thought he had doubled the Hammers’ lead, only for the Video Assistant Referee to intervene and spark a heated debate over the “tightest of offside decisions.”
The released audio reveals the meticulous, albeit frantic, communication between on-field referee Tony Harrington and VAR official Neil Davies. As Summerville celebrated what appeared to be a decisive strike, the VAR team began a lengthy review focusing on Taty Castellanos earlier in the build-up. The recordings capture the moment the technical team applied the calibrated lines, with Davies confirming that a portion of the attacker’s shoulder was beyond the final defender. Despite the marginal nature of the call, the audio highlights the VAR’s “clear and obvious” protocol in determining that the goal could not stand because of the technical infringement.
This transparency comes at a time of immense pressure for West Ham and their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo. The Hammers had taken an early lead through a Murillo own goal but saw their momentum vanish after Summerville’s strike was chalked off. Forest capitalized on the reprieve, mounting a second-half comeback through Nicolas Dominguez and a late Morgan Gibbs-White penalty. The audio also touches on the late penalty incident, showing the officials’ consensus that Alphonse Areola had committed a foul in the box, further compounding West Ham’s frustrations.
For many fans, the release of the audio is a double-edged sword; while it clarifies the procedural correctness of the offside call, it emphasizes the agonizingly small margins currently deciding the fate of Premier League clubs. With West Ham now sitting seven points adrift of safety, the “eye-opening” recordings serve as a stark reminder of how a few millimeters can shift the trajectory of an entire season. As the PGMOL continues its effort to provide more insight into Matchweek 21’s biggest talking points, the debate over the impact of VAR on the flow and spirit of the game remains as loud as ever.
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
