Football lawmakers set to review grappling at corners after West Ham-Arsenal VAR controversy
The decision to rule out West Ham’s equaliser on Sunday has sparked debate over grappling at corners
Football’s lawmakers are poised to address the contentious issue of grappling at corners and other set-pieces, with discussions expected to commence after this summer’s World Cup. The move comes amid growing frustration and debate within the Premier League , sparked by a series of controversial decisions. The spotlight fell on the issue following Sunday’s crucial match between West Ham and Arsenal, where a West Ham goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.
This decision had significant implications for both the title race and the battle to avoid relegation, intensifying calls for clarity on what constitutes a foul in such situations. West Ham are understood to have lodged a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and forward Jarrod Bowen publicly criticising what they perceive as a lack of consistency in penalising holding and foul challenges during set-pieces. West Ham were furious that the goal was disallowed (PA) The International Football Association Board (Ifab), the body responsible for setting the game’s laws, is expected to take up the matter during its next round of discussions, scheduled to begin in the autumn.
Ifab director Ian Maxwell, who also serves as chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, acknowledged the ongoing debate when questioned at the IFAB annual general meeting in February. "It wasn’t discussed specifically at today’s meeting. Anything we can do to try to eradicate that type of behaviour…," Maxwell stated.
"We’re aware of it from a Scottish perspective, I’m not sure it’s necessarily getting worse. “There will be geographical changes – football is played all over the world – different countries, different players will deal with things in slightly different ways. It’s within the protocol for match officials to take decisions on that (whether a foul has been committed) if they feel it is appropriate at the time, so they have got that opportunity.