Mounting grappling and holding during corner kicks in the Premier League have triggered fresh debate over whether football’s lawmakers should amend the rules to curb what critics describe as “corner chaos.”
With more goals coming from set-pieces this season, pushing and wrestling inside the six-yard box have become increasingly common, often leaving referees struggling to maintain control. Former top-flight assistant referee Darren Cann said the situation has reached a point where “something needs to be done,” describing it as a growing problem for match officials.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Cann noted that as many as 16 players can crowd the goal area during corners, making it extremely difficult for referees to spot and punish infringements.
The issue came under scrutiny after last week’s clash between Everton and Manchester United, where players were seen jostling heavily around the goalkeeper. Everton manager David Moyes criticized officials for failing to clamp down, suggesting referees have been reluctant to intervene.
According to Cann, attackers frequently crowd goalkeepers to limit their movement, while defenders focus more on blocking opponents than tracking the ball. Moyes pointed to Arsenal as pioneers of such tactics, describing their blocking approach as effective but subtle.
Sunday’s match between Arsenal and Chelsea again highlighted the trend, with Chelsea conceding twice from corners in a 2-1 defeat. Liverpool boss Arne Slot said the heavy reliance on physical battles at set-pieces has reduced the entertainment value of games, adding that similar incidents might be penalized in other leagues.
Statistics show the Premier League leads Europe’s top five competitions in set-piece goals this season at 27 percent, ahead of Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1.
League authorities maintain that the current threshold for fouls and video assistant referee intervention remains appropriate. At the start of the season, a survey of coaches, captains and referees supported the existing approach, with only the most obvious holding being penalized. Seven penalties have been awarded this season for such offences, four following VAR reviews.
However, fans have voiced frustration on social media, arguing that VAR appears quick to punish marginal offsides but overlooks clear physical fouls at corners.
Possible reforms have been suggested. Cann floated the idea of requiring attackers to begin outside the six-yard box before a corner is taken to reduce congestion. Another proposal, attributed to former striker Alan Shearer, would allow referees to penalize misconduct immediately after the whistle for a restart, rather than waiting for the ball to be in play.
Despite the debate, the International Football Association Board, which oversees the Laws of the Game, did not formally address the issue at its latest meeting. Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said he was unsure whether the behaviour had worsened significantly over the season.
For now, the physical battles at corners remain part of Premier League matches, but pressure is building for clearer guidance or rule changes to prevent what many see as an increasingly chaotic spectacle.
With inputs from BBC