Corner kick refereeing is getting tighter at the World Cup, and the goal return is already lower than in the Premier League. Last season, Premier League corners produced 0.49 goals per match. The World Cup average was 0.34, and Qatar four years ago was lower again at 0.20.

The World Cup standard

Thomas Hitzlsperger put the gap bluntly: "At least they are consistent, but it's the extreme opposite. We watch the Premier League every week and this is so different."

He also said, "None of the goalkeepers are protesting. Fifa changed their approach and any contact is in favour of the keeper."

That is showing up in the way corners are being judged. Jonathan Tah had a goal disallowed in extra time when Germany led 2-1 against Paraguay, while Waldemar Anton was penalised for blocking goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the same match. Spain's Pau Cubarsi was also penalised for a foul on Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

BBC Sport understands Premier League referees will not take the same hard-line approach next season, so this is not a straight copy-and-paste from FIFA. The Premier League still tolerates more contact, but the World Cup numbers show what happens when officials draw a firmer line.

Arsenal's set-piece edge

Arsenal are the reason this debate keeps getting louder. They won the Premier League with a record 19 goals from corners, which is a serious chunk of a title-winning attack, not a minor side note.

Jurgen Klopp did not hide his view of the issue. "If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions," he said. He also added: "They've scored 60% of their goals that way."

That latter line is clearly an exaggeration, but the wider point stands. Arsenal's set-piece output last season showed how much value Premier League teams can squeeze from crowded-box routines, and why any crackdown on holding or blocking would change the edge some sides have built around corners.

The Premier League may not follow FIFA exactly, but the direction of the debate is clear. England's officials are now being asked whether the more permissive version of corner defending is still the one they want to keep.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →