Referees chief Webb wants clamp-down on Premier League set-piece grappling

Premier League clubs have been warned to expect stricter enforcement of rules on grappling and holding at set-pieces for the upcoming season. Howard Webb, the English Football Association's chief refereeing officer, believes referees and VAR officials should be more vigilant in penalising defenders who drag attackers to the ground during corners and free kicks.

This stance comes after Arsenal's successful title win, in part due to their proficiency in set-pieces, which drew complaints from rivals about the Gunners' habit of wrestling opponents prior to the ball being delivered. Webb is confident that fans can anticipate more situations being penalised throughout the season, rather than just in August or September.

He emphasizes that while contact remains an integral part of the game, the threshold for penalising fouls will be higher. Webb also expresses concern over the aftermath of FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card during the World Cup, fearing that the controversy has led to the growth of beliefs in refereeing conspiracies among supporters.