Corners have become a huge asset for Premier League teams over the past few seasons, but former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has sent a warning to match organizers.
Premier League teams are particularly good at attacking from the corners (Image: Getty Images)
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has called for a major crackdown on corner grappling following the “embarrassing” incident between Manchester United and Everton. In recent seasons, corner kicks have become a particularly useful weapon for teams in the top flight.
Mikel Arteta’s side have become experts at dead balls and Liverpool have followed suit. While far more goals are being scored from corner kicks, there are also more grappling and crowding of goalkeepers.
Referees frequently stop matches to warn players about excessive contact, and former official Halsey believes referee bosses urgently need to take further action.
He told The Sun: “PGMOL must lead the referees to a straightforward approach, as the incident of a grapple from a corner inside the penalty area has become a complete joke.
“Sooner or later it has to be addressed. Umpires don’t want to keep making decisions when everyone is arguing. It’s become like rugby. It’s like being at Twickenham. If that means giving away a lot of free-kicks and penalties, so be it. That’s the only way to stop it.”
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“Last week’s game between Everton and Manchester United was a joke. It was a farce and an embarrassment and it happens every week. But it’s also the players and the set-piece coaches who are to blame. They are to blame, not the referees. Sometimes you feel sorry for the referees.”
“Give a penalty or a free kick as soon as a corner kick is taken. As long as you are consistent, people can’t argue. People are tired of referees stopping the game, not saying a word to the players, taking no action and continuing to grapple. They are not paying any attention. Everyone is tired of it. If you give a penalty kick or a free kick every time, neither the players nor the fans can complain.”
Mark Halsey wants to see officials take action regarding grappling in the box (Image: Getty Images)
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Halsey’s views were echoed by former assistant referee Darren Cann, who told the BBC: “Something needs to be done.” He said: “In many corner kick situations, there are often as many as 16 players crammed into the six-yard box. Frankly, this has become a nightmare for the refereeing team and the police. We have to find a solution to this epidemic.”
The frustration was evident throughout the game and Everton manager David Moyes is ready to speak out. He suggested that “refs don’t really want to get involved” but “it’s a real shame they don’t want to deal with it”.
The Guardian’s Chris Foy claimed the referee was considering “serious consequences” and argued that attackers could be just as liable as defenders. However, he acknowledged that there could be a tie, explaining: “Sometimes both sides push and pull a little bit. They call it holding each other, but the best outcome there, in my opinion, is to let the play continue.”
While Arsenal remain set-piece specialists, Liverpool have caught up by scoring the most points from non-penalty dead balls since the start of the year. Despite this, Reds manager Arn Slott held a controversial view, claiming that the new physical approach made the game “less enjoyable to watch.”
Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jobar earns a bonus for every set-piece the Gunners score under a clause in his contract.
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