Premier League rule change mooted after Leicester City v West Ham controversy
Keith Hackett has called for the PGMOL to change the law related to players using arms to stop each other during set-pieces after being annoyed by it in West Ham United’s 3-1 loss to Leicester City on Tuesday.
The ex-FIFA referee and PGMOL chief spotted several players grappling each other during corners and free-kicks as the Irons succumbed to a two-goal defeat at the King Power Stadium on 3 December.
He reckons it is high time the match officials board updated their rules to prevent games from turning into “rugby” in those instances.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Hackett said: “I do think that the PGMOL need to focus their attention on cleaning up what we are witnessing at corner kicks and free kicks.
“The penalty area is more representative of rugby, not football. Grappling, holding, and blocking go unpunished.
Premier League rule change mooted after Leicester City v West Ham controversy
“What a waste of time when before the kick comes into the area, the referee holds up play, walks into the area talking to players using their arms and asking for players to separate etc, and then signals for the kick to be taken and the mayhem re-commences completely ignored by the match officials.
“We want to watch football, not rugby at these set pieces. I would suggest that a change to the law might be considered.
“Just like set piece free kicks, when a wall is formed the defenders have to be one meter apart, why not the same for corner kicks? Something needs to be done.”
West Ham thought they had nullified Jamie Vardy’s early opener when Crysencio Sumerville’s header following a long throw from Vladimir Coufal ended up in the battle of the net.
However, Tomas Soucek was adjudged to have fouled Mads Hermansen by referee Josh Smith and the VAR in the lead-up to the goal.
Hackett, though, felt that was a case of the referee coming to the goalkeeper’s rescue after dealing poorly with the situation.
In other West Ham news, this Irons star clashed with Lopetegui during half-time as they lost 5-2 to Arsenal on Saturday, 30 November.
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