FIFA issues official response regarding the 'problematic' corner kick situation in the Premier League.

Despite the growing heated debates around corner kick situations in the Premier League, FIFA confirms there are no plans to alter the regulations currently.

Following the annual meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB - the independent international body, established in 1886, with ultimate responsibility for issuing, amending, and managing the Laws of the Game globally) held in Cardiff, issues of pushing, holding, and obstruction in the penalty area were not deemed serious enough to warrant changes to the playing rules.

Recently, Premier League matches have frequently witnessed chaotic scenes during corner kicks. Players from both teams persistently grapple, push, and block the goalkeeper's movement before the ball is put into play. Many opinions suggest this negatively impacts the quality of the game. Manager Arne Slot even remarked that the league "is no longer enjoyable to watch" because set-piece situations are becoming increasingly physical.

In the latest round, Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens stated he was forced to stand right on his goal line during the 1-0 win over Everton due to intense jostling between players in the six-yard box. Such scenes are becoming commonplace in England.

Notably, league leaders Arsenal have scored as many as 16 goals directly from corners this season, equaling the all-time competition record. The physically demanding approach to set-pieces employed by Mikel Arteta's team has consequently become a subject of debate.

Nevertheless, according to IFAB representative Ian Maxwell – Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association – this issue "has not gotten worse" compared to before. He emphasized that current rules already allow referees to penalize fouls detected once the ball is in play. By regulation, the ball is only considered in play after the corner kick is taken, making infringements prior to that moment difficult to penalize. However, once the ball is moving, the referee can indeed blow the whistle and even award a penalty if unlawful holding or pulling is identified.

IFAB's priority in approving measures to restrict time-wasting on throw-ins and goal kicks, rather than amending corner kick rules, indicates lawmakers do not yet view this as a crisis. Given the increasingly tense title race and relegation battle in the Premier League, set-piece situations will undoubtedly remain a crucial "weapon," and the controversies surrounding them are unlikely to subside soon.