Premier League Orders Stricter Set-Piece Fouls Crackdown After 5 Missed VAR Penalties
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 20
Premier League Orders Stricter Set-Piece Fouls Crackdown After 5 Missed VAR Penalties
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 20
Summary
Friday’s Premier League kickoff will begin with referees told to punish clear “non-footballing” holding at set-pieces more aggressively, with fewer warnings and more on-field calls.
A quarter of last season’s 20 missed VAR interventions were penalties not awarded after off-the-ball wrestling, helping drive the new focus on sustained holding, shirt-pulling and grappling that blocks movement.
Howard Webb said the laws have not changed and contact will still be allowed, but players who only impede opponents — including restricting a goalkeeper’s arm — should now expect sanctions.
Clubs have already been shown examples that would become penalties under the guidance, while referees will use pre-game tactical analysis to position themselves better for corners and free-kicks.
The shift could reshape a major scoring source after 269 Premier League goals came from set-pieces last season, 25.7% of all goals and the highest share among Europe’s top leagues.