FIFA is considering new rules to address penalty box grappling ahead of the World Cup. Referees may be given more authority to penalize such actions before corners are taken.
Key points
FIFA is considering new rules for the World Cup.
Referees may penalize grappling before corners.
The aim is to reduce wrestling at set-pieces.
Recent Premier League incidents prompted this consideration.
Mentioned in this story
FIFA
West Ham UnitedArsenalCallum Wilson
West Ham United's Pablo fouls Arsenal's David Raya
West Ham United recently saw what would have been a late equalizer from Callum Wilson against Arsenal disallowed due to grappling -Credit:Alex Pantling/Getty Images
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Referees could be handed greater authority at the World Cup to crack down on penalty box grappling. FIFA officials are even exploring ways to award fouls BEFORE corners are actually taken.
The governing body is determined that World Cup matches avoid the ugly penalty box wrestling at corners and free kicks that have blighted the Premier League this season, with FIFA examining methods to penalize blocking, grappling, and blatant fouls at set-pieces.
Despite the tournament being just a month away, the issue remains on the agenda with finer details still under discussion, though solutions may come down to new directives and encouraging referees to be extra vigilant and strict. These new directives have also been communicated to managers ahead of the World Cup, as per The Mirror.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Ben White celebrates scoring for England
Ben White recently scored for England against Uruguay, with Adam Wharton having supposedly blocked José María Giménez beforehand -Credit:Alex Davidson - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Officials will be monitoring blocking at corners, and one notable example cited is from England's game against Uruguay in March. Ben White netted at Wembley, but accusations emerged that Adam Wharton blocked José María Giménez in the build-up.
Emma Hayes, the U.S. Women's National Team head coach, was working as an ITV analyst that evening and commented: "I think nine times out of ten blocking off someone like that is a foul and I'm surprised it wasn't given."
FIFA are poised to scrutinize such decisions and incidents, aiming to prevent a repeat of the VAR controversies surrounding West Ham United's late goal that was ruled out against Arsenal on Sunday.
Exactly how referees could intervene on pushing and pulling before the whistle blows or the ball is in play remains unclear. However, the matter is firmly under discussion.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' -CLICK HERE
A tournament-specific directive could be issued, with match officials set to receive their instructions upon arriving at their Miami World Cup base early next month.
Premier League referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, along with their assistants, are expected to be briefed that the recent wave of unsightly confrontations demands firm and decisive preventative measures.
Should it be implemented — despite the Laws of the Game stipulating that non-violent offenses can only be penalized once the ball is in play — free kicks, penalties, and yellow and red cards could all be issued.
The development comes just 24 hours after the head of FIFA's World Cup Technical Study Group cautioned that referees would be expected to adopt a tougher stance. Former Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler said: "We have seen this, especially in the Premier League with Arsenal.
"This is a trend, yes, of course, but I'm sure for our World Cup, we have the best referees there and those referees will be a key part of these situations.
FIFA's World Cup Technical Study Group, Pascal Zuberbuehler, during the Technical Study Group Media Briefing at MMC
The head of FIFA's World Cup Technical Study Group, Pascal Zuberbuehler, recently hinted at potentially imminent changes to the rules -Credit:Mark Metcalfe - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
"We know it's difficult for the referees because you have these little fouls on the goalkeeper and the officials have to look between so many people around them.
"It's not easy to see this, but I'm very, very sure we have the best referees anyway, and we will deal with this in a very good way. It's clear we need to be aware from the beginning."
Zuberbuhler was evidently aware of the stricter enforcement strategy being developed at FIFA's Zurich headquarters in preparation for the tournament.
