(Credit: Imago)

James Murray

Mon 18 May 2026 17:15, UK

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West Ham United have made themselves look “stupid” after launching an official complaint following their disallowed goal against Arsenal. 

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Hammers are wasting their time taking the matter further.

Callum Wilson’s injury-time equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check for a foul by forward Pablo Felipe on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The Gunners held on to win the game 1-0, with Leandro Trossard’s 82nd-minute strike enough to seal all three points at the London Stadium.

Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed West Ham have lodged a complaint to the PGMOL after Wilson’s goal was ruled out. 

Why West Ham are wasting their time with official complaint

West Ham are facing relegation to the Championship after suffering a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday (17 May). 

That result means 17th-place Tottenham need just one win from their final two games to secure their Premier League status, but a point is likely to be enough due to their goal difference. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed West Ham’s decision to submit a complaint following their disallowed goal against Arsenal.

“They’re all a waste of time these sorts of situations,” said Borson.

“I don’t really know why people pursue them aside from the PR around it. But to be honest, the PR makes people look stupid and I’m not in favour of it. I just think it’s a complete waste of time. 

“But are we ever going to stop people making these complaints? Probably not. What is the official complaint anyway? We can all look at the situation and have different views.” 

Why West Ham should have been awarded penalty

Borson suggested West Ham should have been awarded a penalty for a foul by Trossard on Pablo before contact was made with Raya. 

“For what it’s worth, I’m probably biased the other way, but I feel that it’s a foul on the goalkeeper,” said Borson.

“But to me, it’s also a foul by Trossard and it should be a penalty. That would have been the best solution, to just allow the penalty. 

“But really, it’s subjective and there’s no real complaint. Are they suggesting that there was deliberate incompetence or something worse, a deliberate conspiracy?

“It’s just a case of people taking a different view and working as human beings under incredible pressure and making a borderline decision that went against them. It’s a waste of time.”