Mark Clattenburg Urges PGMOL to Act as He Claims Arsenal Use ‘Illegal’ Corner Tactics
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has called on the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to take a firmer stance against Arsenal, claiming the club have discovered an “illegal” way to score goals from corner kicks. The outspoken ex-official also argued that Premier League referees have been “too weak” to properly clamp down on the Gunners’ set-piece tactics, sparking fresh debate around officiating standards and modern football strategies.
Arsenal’s effectiveness from corners has been one of the standout features of their recent success. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have become one of the most dangerous teams in the league from set pieces, using intricate blocking movements, crowding of the goalkeeper, and clever runs to gain an advantage inside the penalty area. While these routines have been widely praised by analysts and coaches, Clattenburg believes they cross the line of what should be permitted under the laws of the game.
According to Clattenburg, Arsenal players frequently obstruct defenders and impede goalkeepers in ways that should result in fouls being awarded. He argues that while such actions may appear subtle, they provide an unfair advantage and would not have been tolerated consistently in previous eras of Premier League officiating. The former referee insists that referees are reluctant to intervene due to fear of controversy and pressure from players, managers, and fans.
Clattenburg’s criticism is aimed not only at Arsenal but also at PGMOL, the body responsible for refereeing standards in English football. He believes officials have become overly cautious, allowing questionable physical contact at set pieces to continue unchecked. In his view, this lack of authority has emboldened teams to push boundaries, knowing that referees are unlikely to penalize them unless the infringement is blatant.
The comments have divided opinion across the football community. Arsenal supporters argue that the club is simply exploiting the rules intelligently, pointing out that blocking and physical contact at corners are common practices across the Premier League. They also note that Arsenal’s routines are well-drilled and legal unless referees explicitly deem them otherwise. From this perspective, criticism of Arsenal feels like a reaction to their success rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
On the other hand, some pundits agree with Clattenburg’s concerns, suggesting that officiating at set pieces lacks consistency. They argue that similar incidents are sometimes punished and sometimes ignored, leading to confusion for players and fans alike. Calls for clearer guidelines and firmer enforcement have grown as set-piece goals continue to play a decisive role in matches.
This debate highlights a broader issue within modern football: the constant evolution of tactics versus the interpretation of the laws. As teams become more innovative, referees are forced to make split-second judgments in crowded penalty areas, often with limited assistance even from VAR.
Clattenburg believes that without stronger backing from PGMOL, referees will continue to struggle to assert control.
For now, Arsenal are likely to continue using their corner routines unless explicitly told otherwise. Whether Clattenburg’s comments lead to changes in refereeing approach remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Arsenal’s success from set pieces has once again put officiating standards under the spotlight, reigniting an ongoing conversation about fairness, consistency, and authority in the Premier League.
