Premier League referees are set to take a firmer stance on grappling and holding inside the penalty area, with expectations of more penalties being awarded this season. Howard Webb, PGMOL’s chief operating officer, said feedback from a recent survey revealed too many clear offences were going unpunished.
VAR will now be able to step in for “extreme non-footballing action,” such as dragging an opponent to the ground, even when the ball is not in play. However, Webb noted that minor, mutual contact would remain the referee’s decision.
The move follows examples like Nottingham Forest’s penalty against Brighton last season, where Tariq Lamptey’s sustained holding brought down Morgan Gibbs-White. Webb stressed that this would not be a short-lived campaign but a consistent approach aimed at credibility and fairness.
The 2025/26 Premier League season begins Friday, with champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth.
