Has the World Cup signalled the end of chaos at corners?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Fifa referees' chief Pierluigi Collina told coaches before the World Cup he did not want to see excessive holding in the penalty area By Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent Published 8 minutes ago "If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions." Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was speaking after Germany had a goal disallowed during their World Cup tie with Paraguay. 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. It was a tactic 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 that were designed to stop an opponent getting to the ball and led 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 of the value of corners? The