FIFA make decision on changing corner kick laws after Arsenal vs Chelsea

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Mar 2026 06:43 CST
• 4 min read

News

FIFA currently has no plans to introduce new laws to combat the increased physicality and wrestling during corner kick situations, despite growing pleas for rule changes.

Fans and pundits alike have called for the game’s lawmakers - the International Football Association Board (IFAB) - to implement new regulations to protect goalkeepers and defenders from set pieces, however such measures are unlikely to be introduced anytime soon.

Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon was dominated by set piece action, with all three goals scored from inswinging corners, and Liam Rosenior’s side were denied two penalties during the game, with Declan Rice and David Raya both escaping punishment following incidents at corners.

Arsenal have now scored a record-equalling 16 goals from corners in the Premier League so far this season, while 17.6% of the total goals scored in the English top flight this term (138 of 783) have been from corner kick situations - the highest percentage in history.

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s win, referees have been urged to take action in order to stop the increased issue of grappling at corners. However, FIFA is unlikely to implement new rules to combat this growing problem.

IFAB unlikely to suggest corner kick rule changes

Despite speculation that laws could be introduced to protest goalkeepers from corners, Scottish FA CEO and IFAB member Ian Maxwell has denied such rumours.

Following an IFAB summit in Cardiff, he told ESPN: “It wasn't something that we specifically talked about. Whether there's been a change in that type of behaviour during matches, those things happen over the course of a season, but I'm not sure it's necessarily getting worse.”

One issue is that, under the current laws, fouls aren’t allowed to be given unless the ball is in play. As a result, players are free to wrestle with opponents before a corner kick is delivered. However, referees are able to award penalty kicks if a foul offence takes place at a corner when the ball is active.

Maxwell added: “It's obviously in the protocol because it would effectively be a penalty potentially if there's grappling at a corner. So within the current protocol, that can be assessed.”

However, IFAB have ratified a number of other law changes ahead of this summer’s World Cup, including expanding the power of VAR to award corner kicks and to overturn wrongly awarded second yellow cards and yellow cards awarded to the wrong team.

Additionally, there will be a five-second time limit on goalkicks and throw-ins, with possession going to the opposition if a player takes too long, while players who receive treatment will have to stay off the pitch for one minute, rather than 30 seconds as is currently the rule in the Premier League. Substituted players will also have to leave the field within 10 seconds.

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