Radical new corner rules proposed after Arsenal VAR controversy | OneFootball

Debate continues to rage after last-gasp West Ham equaliser disallowed

Radical new laws intended to limit grappling at corners have been proposed after a controversial VAR check handed Arsenal a crucial victory at West Ham on Sunday.

West Ham nicked a late equaliser through Callum Wilson to deal a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, but the goal was ruled out after Pablo Felipe was deemed to have fouled David Raya in the pre-corner melee.

That saw the Gunners take victory and restore their five-point lead atop the Premier League with just two matches left to play.

The decision to disallow Wilson’s strike has been dubbed the most significant VAR decision in its history and sparked widespread debate, with both Nuno Espirito Santo and Mikel Arteta calling on the Premier League to clarify grappling rules post-match.

A lengthy VAR check eventually disallowed West Ham’s last-gasp equaliser

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Nuno said “everybody is confused” as to what is or is not allowed at corners, while Arteta hailed the decision to disallow the goal as “brave”.

Retired assistant referee Darren Cann, who ran the touchline in both an FA Cup and Champions League final during his two-decade refereeing career, has suggested a possible solution.

He believes it would be reasonable to ban any attacking player from entering the six-yard box before a free-kick or corner is taken.

Darren Cann is a highly experienced Premier League match official

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“I feel that the time has come now for a law change,” said Cann on Match of the Day. “Whereby, no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before the corner is taken.”

He continued, explaining his rationale: “So, for goal kicks, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area. At corners, they shouldn’t be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play.

“Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play, and then obviously the referee can’t give a penalty or can’t give an indirect free-kick if the ball is not in play.

It remains to be seen whether the Premier League or its governing bodies will institute new rules around corners ahead of next season.

Gary Neville also spoke on the situation, saying he was unsure whether Felipe’s contact with Raya was ‘over the line’.

“At the start, we don't know. Was it over the line? That was what I was thinking but it looked over the line and Declan Rice, as it turned out, was way behind the line.

“But then we see obviously a VAR check for a foul on the goalkeeper and I think that's the biggest moment in VAR history in the Premier League.

“There are a lot who aren't fans of VAR, and maybe rightly so, but it could have just made Arsenal champions, and it could have got a decision right that wouldn't have been right.”