Premier League corner chaos is heading to the World Cup and FIFA believes referees will handle it

WASHINGTON: (May 11) (AP) Referees at the World Cup are aware of the growing trend in the Premier League for grappling and crowding around goalkeepers at corner kicks and “will deal with this in a very good way,” FIFA experts warned Monday.

The issue of how match officials deal with jostling between players at set-pieces was brought into full focus on Sunday when West Ham was denied a stoppage-time equalizer against title-chasing Arsenal.

In what has been described as the most significant video review in Premier League history, it was adjudged that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was being impeded by the flailing arm of West Ham player Pablo as they competed for the ball at a corner during a chaotic penalty-area scene where players from both teams were grabbing and pulling each other.