World Cup signals potential end of corner kick chaos

Has the World Cup signalled the end of chaos at corners? Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, speaking after Germany had a goal disallowed during their World Cup tie with Paraguay, remarked, "If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions." Jonathan Tah thought he had given Germany a 2-1 lead in extra time, only for the video assistant referee to intervene, with Waldemar Anton adjudged to have blocked goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The tactic was reminiscent of one used by Arsenal last season, leading to a record 19 goals from corners as they won the Premier League. "They've scored 60% of their goals that way," Klopp said of the Gunners, exaggerating for effect.

But what is true is there has been a clear difference in approach in the refereeing of corners at the World Cup. Wrestling seemed to be endemic towards the end of last season, with players thrown to the floor and, at times, as many as 16 camped in the six-yard box crowding the goalkeeper. BBC Sport has been told there was a feeling at the top levels of refereeing that corner kicks had turned into a "fight scene" and this was "not real football." We have not seen the same level of skullduggery at the World Cup. But what has FIFA done to combat it, and could it mean we see a difference in the Premier League next season?

Prepare your referees, and be strict

The messages from Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of referees, before the World Cup were simple. To coaches: there will be a focus on blocking and holding. To referees: be prepared to be strict. There would be zero tolerance of any off-the-ball moves designed to stop an opponent getting to the ball and leading to goals. Holding would still happen—it cannot be eradicated from a contact sport—just not to the same extent. Referees, for instance, have still needed to stop corners to speak to players who are grappling. When it comes to goalkeepers, it seems Collina expects an exclusion zone in the six-yard box.

The VAR intervention to disallow Germany's goal may have seemed soft to anyone who watches Premier League football. For Collina, it was the perfect example of what he had been drilling into his officials. Anton stood in a position that meant the goalkeeper would inevitably walk into him. The German held his position—a deliberate blocking tactic. Spain had a goal disallowed in similar fashion, with Pau Cubarsi penalised for a foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. "At least they are consistent, but it's the extreme opposite," said former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on BBC One. "We watch the Premier League every week and this is so different. None of the goalkeepers are protesting. FIFA changed their approach and any contact is in favour of the keeper."

Does the change have any impact on the value of corners?

The stats would seem to suggest so. In the Premier League last season, goals from corners came at an average of 0.49 per match—near enough one every other game. The Bundesliga and the Champions League were close behind on 0.46. At the World Cup the figure is 0.34—on a par with the other top-five European leagues, which also have a lower threshold for intervention inside the penalty box. But it is still higher than the 0.20 in Qatar four years ago.

How Collina uses semi-pro players to train referees

Collina's attention to detail at this World Cup has been exhaustive. The 51 referees and 88 assistant referees are based at a state-of-the-art camp in Miami, Florida. FIFA has sourced a large group of players of semi-professional standard who are drilled in the playing patterns and set-piece routines of the national teams. Take Thursday's match between France and Morocco. Referee Facundo Tello and his team will travel to the training centre and be put through exercises involving two XIs, who will perform drills to mimic the playing style and tactical approach of the quarter-finalists.