FIFA take action days after controversial VAR call in West Ham vs Arsenal with change impacting World Cup

Just days after the controversial VAR call, which saw Callum Wilson’s equaliser for West Ham against Arsenal ruled out, FIFA has taken action to prevent penalty-area grappling during the World Cup this summer.

Arsenal went five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League courtesy of Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute strike at the London Stadium on Sunday, but the match was marred by a controversial VAR call in the dying embers of the game.

West Ham substitute Wilson thought he had earned his side a point in second-half stoppage time, only for the strike to be ruled out after a VAR check, with Pablo deemed to have fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The decision has divided the opinion of fans and pundits, with some suggesting several fouls were also committed by Arsenal players during the penalty-area melee.

However, Chief Refereeing Officer of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), Howard Webb, has since praised the officials for their decision-making process, while also suggesting referee Chris Kavanagh was correct to give the call in Arsenal’s favour.

Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, he said: “Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes.

“We've said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms, and therefore they can't do their job, they'll be penalised.

“We're not just talking about contact with goalkeepers; we're talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper's arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them from doing their job.

“Raya can't do what he would normally do in that situation, simply catch the ball or punch the ball, and they intervene and come to the right decision.

“When you look at that in the round, that's clearly a clear and obvious offence that needs penalising.”

FIFA take action before World Cup

It has since been reported by The Times that FIFA is reviewing how it can give referees more powers to prevent penalty-area grappling during this summer’s World Cup, explaining to coaches that a ‘hard line’ will be taken on the matter.

Referee chiefs are also focusing on how teams can be punished for wrestling their opponents ahead of corners and free kicks, even considering how corners could be forfeited for blocking or grappling offences.

Meanwhile, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) are set to undertake a long-term review of the issues, although changes are unlikely to be made before the upcoming tournament. FIFA remains keen on solving the problem which has regularly been seen during Premier League matches this season.

The head of Fifa’s World Cup technical study group, the former Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler, said: “We have seen this, especially in the Premier League with Arsenal. This is a trend, yes, of course, but I’m sure for our World Cup, we have the best referees there and those referees will be a key part of these situations.

“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.”