Darren Cann calls for radical law change to protect goalkeepers following Arsenal’s controversial VAR escape at West Ham.
Following the fallout of Arsenal’s narrow victory over West Ham, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has called for a fundamental change to the Laws of the Game, proposing that attacking players be banned from entering the six-yard box until a corner is in play.
The suggestion comes in response to the “folklore” moment at the London Stadium on Sunday, where Callum Wilson’s 95th-minute equalizer for the Hammers was overturned by VAR. The goal was disallowed after replays showed David Raya’s arm was impeded by West Ham forward Pablo—an incident that has reignited the debate over how much physical contact goalkeepers should be expected to endure.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Cann argued that the current rules invite “endless debates” and unnecessary grappling that often occurs before the ball is even kicked. By keeping attackers out of the small box until the delivery is made, Cann believes officials could finally eliminate the “dark arts” that plague set-pieces.
“I feel like the time has come now for a law change whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before the corner is taken,” Cann explained. “At goal kicks, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area. At corners, they shouldn’t be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play.”
Cann noted that this would mirror current rules for goal kicks and penalties, creating a “natural separation” that gives goalkeepers the necessary air space to do their jobs without being pinned to their goal lines.
One of the primary frustrations for officials is the wrestling that takes place while the ball is “dead.” Under current rules, a referee cannot award a penalty or a free-kick for fouls committed before the corner is taken, leading to a cycle of warnings that often delay the game.
“Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play,” Cann said. “The referee can’t give a penalty or an indirect free-kick if the ball is not in play. This [change] would eradicate these kinds of situations.”
While the proposal aims to bring clarity, it is likely to face resistance from those who enjoy the physical, tactical battles of English football. West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen expressed his frustration after Sunday’s match, suggesting that “grappling and holding” are part of the game and that VAR is looking too closely at minor contact.
However, with Arsenal now just two wins away from their first title in over two decades—largely thanks to a decision involving a crowded six-yard box—the pressure on the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to address set-piece interference has never been higher.
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