Premier League issue official Newcastle United statement after West Ham controversy

Newcastle United take on West Ham United in the Premier League at the London Stadium - and VAR has already played its part.

It wouldn’t be a Premier League weekend without VAR having some sort of say in proceedings - and at the London Stadium, it was a big talking point in the encounter between Newcastle United and West Ham United.

The big screen displays the news that a penalty given for a foul on West Ham United's English striker #20 Jarrod Bowen is disallowed after a touch on the ball by the defender is seen following a review by the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at the London Stadium, in London on November 2, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images

placeholder image — The big screen displays the news that a penalty given for a foul on West Ham United's English striker #20 Jarrod Bowen is disallowed after a touch on the ball by the defender is seen following a review by the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Newcastle United at the London Stadium, in London on November 2, 2025. | AFP via Getty Images

NUFC winger Jacob Murphy gave the Magpies’ the lead with their first real foray in the West Ham territory, but the home side looked like they’d got back on level terms soon after when Jarrod Bowen went down in the area.

Newcastle United v West Ham VAR decision | AFP via Getty Images

NUFC penalty controversy - VAR decision

One look and referee Rob Jones pointed towards the spot. Immediately the Newcastle United defenders around the ball, including the man who was deemed to have committed the foul - Malick Thaiw - were far from happy.

And with a quick word in the ear, Jones was told by the VAR refs in the studio, to take another look at the challenge.

Jones trotted over to the London Stadium monitor and very quickly overturned the decision, with German defender Thiaw deemed to have played the ball and not Bowen.

Premier League make official statement on NUFC decision

An official statement, released on Twitter, read; “#WHUNEW – 11’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of penalty to West Ham. Referee announcement: “After review, Newcastle 12 clearly touches the ball before subsequent contact with West Ham 20. My final decision therefore is no penalty and a drop ball to the goalkeeper.”