Declan Rice says 'no player wants VAR in the game' after disallowed goal costs West Ham

Kieran Francis

Declan Rice says 'no player wants VAR in the game' after disallowed goal costs West Ham image

West Ham's Declan Rice claimed Friday that the entirety of the Premier League doesn't want VAR, after the midfielder's side controversially had a goal ruled out in the dying stages of its 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

Rice thought he had provided the assist for Robert Snodgrass to equalize in stoppage time at Bramall Lane, but the goal was ruled out after a video review showed the ball struck Rice's hand in the build-up.

The Hammers celebrated wildly, thinking they had salvaged a point after a horrible defensive mix-up following David Martin's goal kick allowed Oliver McBurnie to open the scoring shortly after halftime.

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Rice revealed the anger in the Londoners' dressing room after the decision went against them and said the majority of footballers in England's top flight don't want VAR used in the game.

"We are fuming," Rice told Sky Sports. "All the lads are livid.

"This is a tough place to come, credit to (Sheffield United), they ground it out. We created some chances and missed some chances. The goal at the end was a tough one to take because a point on the road would have been good for us.

"I've just watched it back. (United defender John Egan) has knocked the ball into my hand. If you are running with your arms like that with the rules as they are now it is handball, but it is not intentional. It is a kick in the teeth.

"I think it is the thoughts of every Premier League player, not just me — pretty much every one doesn't want to have VAR in the game.

"There have been so many decisions this season that have been absolutely crazy. They were celebrating VAR like it was a goal and football should not be like that.

"We are not too happy but it is in the game now and we have to get on with it.

"I can't get over it, (Egan) knocked it into my hand. It is not intentional handball. I was buzzing. I ran 20 meters up the pitch, slipped the ball in for Snods."

West Ham boss David Moyes refused to be drawn into the VAR debate but made his feelings clear when describing Snodgrass' strike as a "good goal."

"I thought Declan had done brilliantly to break through the middle," Moyes said to BBC Sport. "He played a good pass and we scored.

"I thought it was a really good goal."

The Hammers stay in 16th position in the Premier League but are only two points clear of the relegation zone.

Their next match will be at home against Everton on Jan. 18.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.