Former Premier League referee Darren Cann has called for a major change to football laws following the controversial VAR decision during Arsenal’s dramatic victory over West Ham United. Cann suggested that attacking players should no longer be allowed inside the six-yard box before corners are taken, arguing that it would reduce the growing trend of “grappling” and “wrestling” during set-pieces. The debate followed West Ham’s disallowed equaliser against Arsenal in a crucial Premier League clash. The goal was ruled out after referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident and determined that West Ham defender Pablo had fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during a crowded melee in the penalty area.
Set-piece situations have become increasingly physical in English football this season, with attacking teams frequently crowding goalkeepers and targeting inswinging corners into the six-yard area. Defenders often respond by shielding their goalkeeper, resulting in chaotic confrontations inside the box.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Cann said: “I feel that the time has come now for a law change whereby no attackers are allowed in the six yard box before the corner is taken.” He argued that such a rule would create “natural separation” between players and give goalkeepers more protection during corners.
Cann compared the proposal to existing rules at goal kicks, explaining: “So a goal kick, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area. Corners, they shouldn't be allowed in the six yard box until the ball is in play. That would create natural separation and give the goalkeeper the space, so we wouldn't have these endless debates.”
He also criticised the level of physical contact that often occurs before the ball is even in play. “Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play. The referee can't give a penalty, or can't give an indirect free kick if the ball is not in play. This would create that natural separation and eradicate these kind of situations,” Cann added.
The former official backed both referee Kavanagh and VAR official Darren England for overturning the goal, describing it as “the biggest VAR call in Premier League history”. Cann said: “I don't think anyone would want to trade places with Darren England. Nobody would want to be sitting in that chair. He stepped up to the plate, he made the right decision.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also praised the match officials after the game, describing their intervention as “brave”. The victory moved Arsenal five points clear of defending champions Manchester City and brought the club closer to a first Premier League title in 22 years.
Arteta said: “It was a call from the ref that is very brave, but very consistent with what they’ve been talking about all season.” He added that officials deserved praise “for giving the option to a referee to decide, away from the lights and the chaos, to give clarity to him to make the right call.”
The Arsenal boss insisted the footage showed “an obvious error”, adding: “It is a free-kick, and the goal has to be disallowed.” Reflecting on the pressure surrounding the decision, Arteta said: “Today I have realised how difficult and how big the referee’s job is. Because you’re talking about a moment that can decide the history, and the course, of two massive clubs that are fighting with their lives to achieve their objectives.”