EPL: Referees to be stricter on holding during set pieces

The Premier League is getting serious about holding and grappling during set pieces this season. Referees have been told to pay more attention to actions that clearly affect the game.

Even though the rules haven’t changed, officials in the Premier League, English Football League, and Women’s Super League will now take stronger action against players who hold deliberately. This is especially true when it stops opponents from getting to the ball or moving into key positions.

The main focus will be on what officials call “non-footballing holding actions.” This includes when a player only concentrates on their opponent, doesn’t try to play the ball, uses both arms to hold someone, or keeps holding a player or their jersey.

With this new approach, defenders who turn their backs during a corner or free-kick and hold an attacker to stop them will be penalised.

According to BBC Sport on Thursday, Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb said officials should be bold and act quickly instead of just giving warnings.

“We’re trying to get the officials to be as confident as they can be to penalise what they see. So fewer warnings, more actions penalised. If we see fewer offences being penalised, it should be because players change their behaviour, not because we stop applying the rules,” Webb explained.

This tougher stance comes after worries about missed VAR calls last season. Out of 20 missed calls, a quarter were penalties that should have been given for players being wrestled down away from the ball.

Webb made it clear that the Premier League won’t be overly strict about physical contact, especially with goalkeepers. The league will keep a high standard for contact, meaning regular bumps won’t automatically lead to goals being disallowed. But if a goalkeeper is clearly held back, like having an arm grabbed, that could still lead to a penalty.

The change could really affect how teams handle set pieces. Last season, Premier League clubs scored 269 goals from set pieces, not counting penalties and direct free-kicks. These goals made up a record 25.7 percent of all goals in the league.

Arsenal topped the list with 25 set-piece goals. Manchester United followed with 21 and Tottenham Hotspur had 19. On the flip side, Liverpool let in the most goals from set pieces, with 19. Chelsea and Newcastle United each conceded 17.

Arsenal’s success was impressive because they balanced scoring well while only letting in seven set-piece goals. This new focus from referees might push clubs to rethink how they defend and attack during corners and free-kicks.

Webb said the aim is not to take the physical side out of football but to discourage actions that don’t really connect with playing the ball. “If we start penalising offences, players have to adjust their tactics. Then those situations will happen less often,” he stated.

This new approach will be tested throughout the season. Consistency will be key. Referees need to keep the same standard after the first few weeks while making sure normal physical contact stays part of the game.

For players and clubs, the message is clear: deliberate holding during set pieces will be watched closely. Those who keep using grappling might end up giving away penalties.