FIFA chiefs are keen to crack down on players fighting over set-pieces, potentially giving referees powers to take action before the ball is in play.
FIFA wants referees to be able to crack down on wrestling in the penalty box at the World Cup (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
At the World Cup, referees may be given special powers to control grappling in the penalty box. And FIFA bosses are also discussing how fouls can be awarded before a corner kick is actually taken.
They are determined to ensure that World Cup matches do not end in ugly penalty box scrambles for corners and free kicks that marred this season’s Premier League, with FIFA considering ways to crack down on blocking, grappling and clearing fouls at set pieces.
Despite being just a month away from the tournament, it is still on the agenda and the details are still being discussed, but new instructions could eventually be issued and referees encouraged to be extra vigilant and strict. The new instructions were also discussed with managers ahead of the World Cup.
They are understood to be looking at blocking in the corners, with one clear example being England’s game against Uruguay in March. Ben White scored at Wembley, but Adam Wharton was also accused of blocking Jose Maria Jimenez in the build-up.
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That night, ITV pundit Emma Hayes, who represented the US women’s team, said: “I think it’s most likely a foul to block someone like that, but I was surprised it wasn’t recognized.”
FIFA will review these decisions and incidents to ensure there is no repeat of the VAR controversy surrounding West Ham’s second-half goal that was ruled out against Arsenal on Sunday.
It’s hard to see how officials can intervene in a push-pull before the whistle blows or the ball is in play. But it’s definitely under discussion.
This could be a tournament-specific directive that match officials will be told to implement when they arrive at the Miami World Cup home early next month.
Ben White scored but may miss the World Cup (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Premier League duo Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor and their assistants will be told that strong and decisive precautions are needed following a series of ugly skirmishes.
If introduced, this could result in free kicks, penalties and yellow and red cards, despite the provision that non-violent acts can only be punished when the ball is in play.
The development came just 24 hours after the head of the FIFA World Cup Technical Research Group warned that he expected referees to take a stronger position. “We’ve seen this especially in the Premier League against Arsenal,” said former Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler.
“This is a trend, of course it is, but we have the best referees at the World Cup and I’m sure those referees will play an important role in these situations.
“I know it’s difficult for the referee because there’s a small foul on the goalkeeper and he has to look between so many people around him.
“This is not an easy thing to determine, but in any case I am very confident that we have the best referees and we will deal with this issue in a very good way. It is clear that we need to be aware from the beginning.”
Zuberbühler clearly anticipated the new hard-line approach being planned at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters ahead of the tournament.
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