FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina wants to crack down on incidents at this summer’s World Cup.
FIFA wants to crack down on corner wrestling at this summer’s World Cup, highlighting England’s goal that should not have stood. (Image: (Photo by Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
FIFA is set to crack down on corner wrestling at the upcoming World Cup, with head referee Pierluigi Collina singled out England’s corner tactics in a recent presentation. Italy’s iconic referee wants to see less grappling before free-kicks and corners are taken.
The tournament will introduce a new rule that will allow referees to rule out a goal for a foul committed by the attacking team before the ball is kicked from a corner or free kick.
Colina singled out the Three Lions in a recent presentation, highlighting a goal in a friendly against Uruguay in which Adam Wharton body-checked Jose María Jimenez before receiving a corner kick. Ben White took the lead with a goal at the far post.
The rule change comes after FIFA receives approval from the International FA Council, soccer’s law-making body. Collina said any rule changes will be presented to teams before the tournament, along with video footage.
“We are trying to resolve this issue and we will see what happens next. Only the foul committed by the attacker will be considered,” Collina said.
“No one is going to be happy with a goal being scored as a result of a foul being committed and the reason VAR can’t intervene is because the protocol says so.”
In his video presentation, Colina highlighted the aforementioned foul by Wharton in the build-up to White’s goal, saying: “There was a clear foul against the defender.
“The attacker obviously goes to block the opponent illegally; his only purpose is to prevent the defender from being able to defend the opponent.
“We are convinced that this goal will not stand, it is completely unfair. We would like VAR to intervene even if there was a foul just before the ball was put in play. We are sure that no one can object to that.”
Ben White’s goal in England v Uruguay will no longer be allowed (Image: Vince Mignott/Getty Images)
Teams using this type of tactic from corners will be watched by referees, and England are likely to come under increased scrutiny from the authorities this summer.
“Our referees are ready,” Collina said. “So if this is a tactic, part of our referee preparation is to know in advance what tactics the team will run.
“We prepare match analysis and provide information to the referees. Knowing something in advance will direct our attention to where we think it is needed.”
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“The IFAB has approved clarifications to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol for use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with respect to obvious violations committed by the attacking team before the ball is played in a corner kick or free kick that have a direct impact on a goal, penalty kick or disciplinary action,” the IFAB said in a statement.
“If the offense meets the criteria set out in the clarification, VAR will recommend an on-field review and if the referee subsequently determines that the offense occurred before the ball was in play, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken and the corner kick or free kick will be retaken.”
