Former Premier League referee Darren Cann has sparked a major debate by calling for a significant law change after the controversial West Ham vs. Arsenal clash—a match he describes as featuring "the biggest moment in VAR history."

Cann, an experienced former assistant referee who officiated in a World Cup final, believes it's time to ban attacking players from standing inside the six-yard box before corner kicks. His proposal comes in response to the growing trend of "grappling" and "wrestling" at set-pieces, which reached a boiling point when West Ham had a crucial equalizer disallowed against Arsenal.

In that match, West Ham's would-be equalizer was ruled out after referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed footage and determined that attacker Pablo fouled Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The decision took a lengthy on-field review and has since become one of the most talked-about VAR calls in Premier League history.

Set-pieces have become increasingly physical this season, with attacking teams crowding the opposition goalkeeper and directing inswinging corners toward the six-yard box. As defenders try to protect their goalkeeper, farcical pile-ups have become a recurring theme—and it played a pivotal role in one of the biggest games of the year.

"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," Cann said on Match of the Day. "So a goal kick, forwards are not allowed in the penalty area. Corners, they shouldn't be allowed in the six-yard box until the ball is in play. That would create natural separation and give the goalkeeper the space, so we wouldn't have these endless debates."

He added: "Lots of teams grapple at corners, sometimes before the ball has come into play. The referee can't give a penalty, or can't give an indirect free kick if the ball is not in play. This would create that natural separation and eradicate these kind of situations."

Despite the controversy, Cann supported referee Kavanagh and VAR official Darren England's decision to disallow the goal. "I don't think anyone would want to trade places with Darren England. Nobody would want to be sitting in that chair. He stepped up to the plate, he made the right decision, and it's the biggest VAR call in Premier League history," Cann concluded.

As the debate over set-piece tactics heats up, Cann's proposal could reshape how teams approach corners—and it's a change that goalkeepers and defenders alike might welcome. For now, though, the grappling continues, and the six-yard box remains a battleground.