Major rule change proposed to the Premier League after West Ham Arsenal VAR drama

A former Premier League referee has spoken out.

Needing a point to seriously salvage survival hopes, West Ham United thought that they had equalised following an in-the-box melee, though after review, Callum Wilson's strike was disallowed.

With The Irons now sitting one point behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, having played an extra game, the table does not make for good reading. Matters can become even worse as Roberto De Zerbi's rejuvenated Spurs host the recently safe Leeds United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight.

After the VAR controversy, a former Premier League assistant referee has suggested a radical rule change, which would change the drama we are currently seeing. Darren Cann, when speaking on Match of the Day 2, believes we need a change to the laws.

A match official for over two decades, he said: “I feel that the time has come now for a law change whereby no attackers are allowed in the six-yard box before the corner is taken.

“At goal-kicks, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area, but at corners they shouldn’t be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play.

“Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play, and then obviously the referee can’t give a penalty or an indirect free-kick if the ball is not in play.

“So this would create that natural separation and eradicate these kinds of situations.”

Nuno's Hammers go to Newcastle United on May 17, whereas Mikel Arteta's Gunners hope to move closer to the title when hosting the relegated Burnley on May 18.