Premier League to Enforce Stricter Rules on Set Pieces

The Premier League has announced a tougher stance on holding and grappling during set pieces for the current season, with referees instructed to focus on actions that significantly impact play. Although the laws remain unchanged, officials from the Premier League, English Football League, and Women’s Super League will take stronger actions against deliberate holding, especially when it prevents opponents from competing for the ball.

Howard Webb, the Premier League referees’ chief, emphasized the need for officials to act decisively, reducing the number of warnings issued. The initiative follows concerns over missed VAR interventions last season, where a significant number of penalties were not awarded due to players being wrestled to the ground.

While the league will maintain a high threshold for physical contact, actions that restrict a goalkeeper's movement could still be penalized. This change could significantly affect set-piece tactics, as clubs scored 269 goals from set pieces last season, accounting for 25.7% of all goals.