Premier League sporting directors have held discussions about the increasing dominance of set-piece goals and holding in the penalty area, amid concerns that the trends are harming the spectacle of matches. The talks have addressed the rising proportion of goals from dead-ball situations, which has reached 27.1% this season excluding penalties.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expressed his discontent, stating his "football heart doesn't like it" when asked about the growing reliance on set pieces. The issue has become a recurring topic in regular meetings between sporting directors and during formal discussions that inform the league's Football Principles, which guide refereeing decisions.
Referees have been instructed to clamp down on holding in the penalty area, resulting in nine penalties awarded for holding at set pieces this season, compared with four at the same stage last season. However, under current laws, free-kicks cannot be awarded when the ball is not in play, limiting officials' ability to penalise jostling before corners.
Arsenal have benefited significantly from set-piece proficiency, scoring 22 of their 59 goals from dead-ball situations, including 16 from corners. Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler criticised Arsenal's approach, noting they take an average of 44.4 seconds per corner, the longest in the league, and suggested introducing time limits.
From next season, referees will enforce a five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal kicks if players are deemed to be time-wasting, following a rule change by the International Football Association Board. Opta reported that 18% of Premier League goals this season have come from corners, the highest proportion in the competition's history and the most among Europe's top five leagues.
