After controversy followed West Ham United vs. Wolves, Gary Lineker proposed a new appeals system, he stated on Match of the Day.

The game at Molenuix ended in frustrating circumstances for the home side as Max Kilman’s late equaliser was ruled out.

Leon Chiwome was adjudged to be in an offside position and blocking the vision of Hammers keeper, Lukasz Fabianski.

This sparked controversy and a frustrated reaction from Gary O’Neil who couldn’t believe the decision that was made.

Lineker spoke out on Match of the Day (6 April) about the need for VAR to change to reduce the number of potential errors made.

On that, he suggested: “Because VAR has taken over, the only way out of this is an appeal system like they have in other sports. I genuinely think that’s the only way. Maybe one a half and the manager can say ‘I want an appeal’. The team themselves say they want an appeal then VAR makes a decision but they only have one each half and if you’re right in your appeal you keep that. See I don’t think anyone would appeal for that [Kilman’s goal].”

How might West Ham United benefit from an appeals system?
Things had already gone against the Hammers, despite O’Neill and the Wolves players and supporters being incensed by the decision.

The referee sounded his whistle and decided to award a foul in favour of the home team after Emerson seemed to have tied the score.

With little resistance from the Italian, Nelson Semedo went down, and the referee took the side of the Portuguese international.
Moyes would undoubtedly appeal this ruling given Lineker’s plan in action, and it might have been disregarded, leaving the score at 1-1.

This suggests that the Hammers would win 3-1, or 3-2 if Kilman’s late goal counts, but that’s not how football works.

Every Premier League team has both positive and negative outcomes from VAR rulings; therefore, an appeals process would be advantageous. The system can easily cause frustration, but on this occasion, it has worked in Moyes and his team’s advantage.