FIFA is considering granting referees additional powers to clamp down on penalty box grappling during the World Cup. The governing body is even discussing the possibility of awarding fouls before corners are taken, in an effort to eliminate the unsightly wrestling matches that have marred Premier League matches this season.
New Directives Under Discussion
Despite the tournament being only a month away, FIFA chiefs are still finalising details. The new directives may involve referees being encouraged to be extra vigilant and strict, and have already been discussed with managers ahead of the World Cup. The focus will be on blocking at corners, with a specific incident from England's match against Uruguay in March cited as an example. Ben White scored at Wembley, but there were accusations that Adam Wharton blocked Jose Maria Gimenez in the build-up.
Emma Hayes, the USA women's coach and ITV pundit, commented: "I think nine times out of ten blocking off someone like that is a foul and I'm surprised it wasn't given." FIFA aims to avoid a repeat of VAR controversies like West Ham's disallowed goal against Arsenal.
Preventative Action
It is unclear how referees could intervene on pushing and pulling before the whistle blows or the ball is in play, but that is under discussion. A tournament-specific directive may be issued, which match officials will be ordered to implement when they arrive at the Miami World Cup base early next month. Premier League referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor, along with their assistants, will be instructed that strong and decisive preventative action is necessary.
If introduced, despite the Laws of the Game stating non-violent offences can only be punished when the ball is in play, free-kicks, penalties, and yellow or red cards could be awarded. This development comes after the head of FIFA's World Cup Technical Study Group, former Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler, warned that referees should take a stronger stand. He said: "We have seen this, especially in the Premier League with Arsenal. This is a trend, of course, but I'm sure for our World Cup, we have the best referees there and they will be a key part of these situations."
Zuberbuhler added: "We know it's difficult for the referees because you have these little fouls on the goalkeeper and the officials have to look between so many people around them. It's not easy to see this, but I'm very, very sure we have the best referees anyway, and we will deal with this in a very good way. It's clear we need to be aware from the beginning."
