Football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), are set to address the contentious issue of grappling at corners and other set-pieces, with discussions expected to begin in the autumn following this summer's World Cup.
Controversial VAR Decision
The debate intensified after Sunday's Premier League match, where West Ham had an equaliser against Arsenal disallowed by VAR for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya. This decision had significant implications for both the title race and the relegation battle.
West Ham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and forward Jarrod Bowen expressed strong frustration, lodging a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) over a perceived lack of consistency in penalising holding during set-pieces.
Mixed Reactions
In contrast, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta praised the officials for their "brave" decision, stating it aligned with discussions held throughout the season regarding such incidents.
Ifab director Ian Maxwell acknowledged the ongoing debate, noting that while it wasn't specifically discussed at their February meeting, officials already have protocols to make decisions on these fouls. The upcoming discussions aim to provide greater clarity for future matches.
