Declan Rice: Premier League players don't want VAR in the game
Declan Rice says that Premier League players don't want VAR in the game after West Ham United's late equalizer was disallowed by the review system in Friday's 1-0 loss at Sheffield United.
The visitors appeared to salvage a point during their trip to Bramall Lane when Rice set up Robert Snodgrass' stoppage-time goal.
But West Ham's celebrations were cut short when the goal was called back after VAR concluded that the ball struck Rice's arm in the build-up to the goal.
Rice claimed after the match that West Ham players were livid with the decision and suggested that players in England's top flight are fed up with VAR's negative influence this season.
"We're fuming really. All the lads in there (the West Ham locker room) are livid. ... He's knocked the ball into my hand. I know I'm in a forward running motion and he's headed the ball into my hand. Of course, if you're running with your arms like that and the ball's hit your arm now, the rule like you said, is handball. But I've not intentionally meant to handball it. ... It's a real kick in the teeth," Rice told Sky Sports.
He added: "I don't think it's just me, I think it's the thoughts of every Premier League player that I don't think pretty much anyone wants to have VAR in the game.
"There's been so many decisions this season that's been absolutely crazy. ... They're celebrating VAR like it's a goal. Football shouldn't be like that."
The loss was West Ham's first in the three matches since manager David Moyes returned for his second spell with the struggling club, which slipped to 16th in the table and sits just two points above the relegation zone.
The Scot, who celebrated wildly before the equalizer was called back, told reporters after the game that he's convinced the goal should have stood.
"It was a good goal. Anybody who has played football or been around the game knows it was a good goal. Declan Rice did really good to break through the middle," he said, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone.
"I'm just telling you it's a really good goal. From my point of view and the people who watch football, the decision is not right.
"I wouldn't say I'm a great fan (of VAR) but we have to come to terms with it. People who have played football know when it's not right and tonight is one of those situations."
West Ham would be one of the clubs that would have benefited the most had VAR not been implemented ahead of the current campaign, according to a study by ESPN FC's Dale Johnson.
Ahead of Friday's match, the study concluded that West Ham's record would improve by three points and that the Hammers would be in 13th place without VAR.