Howard Webb to review penalty-box grappling after Leeds United keeper raises concern | OneFootball

PGMOL chief Howard Webb said his organisation will review penalty-box grappling from set pieces after a season of rising melees, promising a post-season consultation.

The issue has drawn complaints amid increased reliance on set plays. Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow was among those to argue that attackers are being given too much licence.

He said it has become harder to reach the ball at corners due to detailed blocking plans targeting key headers and the goalkeeper, and wondered whether the Premier League could act.

The debate intensified on Sunday when Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time goal in West Ham’s loss to Arsenal was disallowed after VAR judged David Raya had been impeded at a corner.

Webb said officials must be vigilant and prioritise impactful actions, noting that more holding fouls have been given than last year, though some have been missed.

He highlighted the growing influence of set-piece coaches who bunch players together in search of marginal gains. Webb also reiterated pre-season guidance that interference with a goalkeeper’s arms or hands is a foul, adding that Raya was prevented from catching or punching the ball and that the overturn was correct.

Source: Leeds Live