The fallout from West Ham United’s defeat to Arsenal has led to former assistant referee Darren Cann calling for a Premier League rule change.
Perhaps the most controversial VAR decision in Premier League history ruled out what looked like a late equaliser from Callum Wilson was ruled out because of a foul from Pablo Felipe on David Raya.
Give us your response to Callum Wilson’s VAR heartbreak? 😫
The right call? Or harsh on Pablo?
The fact that the goal was ruled out is not really the problem here. Indeed, it’s just the fact that grappling in the box happens all the time across the Premier League, and only a select few incidents are ever punished.
That lack of consistency when the stakes are so high is what is so frustrating. In the wake of Sunday’s defeat, Cann has suggested a radical new change so this situation does not happen again.
Former referee pushes for radical rule change
Speaking to BBC Sport, Cann said: “I feel like the time has come now for a law change whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before the corner is taken.
“So, at 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. Obviously, the referee can’t give a penalty or can’t get an indirect free-kick if the ball is not in play.
Nothing can change now – but what do YOU want to hear from the PGMO?! 😳
I want to know why Rice on Dinos was ignored! 😡
“So, this would create that natural separation and eradicate these kind of situations.”
West Ham are reportedly set to launch an official complaint and there have been calls to fix what is happening across the Premier League when it comes to set-pieces.
Though there’s some merit to what Cann is saying, perhaps it doesn’t even need to be as radical as that.
There is surely a way to make sure the rules are applied universally. No one is suggesting it’s easy and genuine solutions should not have to come from onlookers without any actual power.
It’s up to the people in charge of the sport to find a solution that suits all parties. It simply has to be done, even if there are those who would like to get rid of VAR altogether.
That lack of consistency has and will cost more teams than West Ham. This is an issue that impacts all clubs to varying degrees but it may have taken a decision that had so much resting upon it to make a meaningful change.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
