Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has proposed a significant rule change to prevent controversial VAR incidents like the one that decided Arsenal's 1-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday. Cann suggested that attacking players should be barred from entering the goal area before corners are taken.
The Controversial Incident
The Gunners secured a dramatic late victory at the London Stadium thanks to Leandro Trossard's 83rd-minute strike. However, the match erupted in stoppage time when West Ham substitute Callum Wilson appeared to have scored a vital equaliser from a corner. Following a lengthy VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed the goal, ruling that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had been fouled by West Ham forward Pablo.
Darren Cann's Proposal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Cann explained his proposed rule change: "I think there is too much skirmishing generally at corners anyway. My idea that I have been saying for three years now is that I believe attacking players shouldn't be allowed in the goal area before the corner is taken, so that would give natural separation between defenders and attackers and it would stop the intermingling before the ball is in play."
He added: "You can't give a defensive free kick or a penalty if the ball is not in play, so it would stop this constant pushing and grappling at corners if we separate the players. It is a simple law change for attackers to have to start outside the goal area and it would avoid these situations."
Arteta Praises Officials
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, has praised the officials for their decision. The 44-year-old said: "It was a very brave call and consistent with what they've been talking about all season. When I have to be critical, I have been. This time I have to praise them, at least for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call."
Arteta acknowledged the magnitude of the decision, with Arsenal chasing their first Premier League title since 2004 and West Ham battling relegation. He added: "When you look at it, it is an obvious foul, a free kick, and the goal has to be disallowed. So congratulations, because they made a big call in very, very difficult circumstances. I've now realised how difficult and how big the referee's job is because you're talking about a moment that can decide the history, the course of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives."
Title Race and Relegation Battle
The Gunners now require just two more victories to be crowned Premier League champions. Meanwhile, West Ham's top-flight survival is no longer in their own hands, as Tottenham Hotspur can move four points clear when they host Leeds United on Monday evening.
