Soccer-Premier League referees to crack down on players holding in the box


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 16, 2025 Referee Chris Kavanagh looks at a VAR screen REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Premier League referees are likely to award more penalties this season in a tougher response to players who grapple and hold opponents in the penalty area.

Howard Webb, chief operating officer of referees' body the PGMOL, told reporters on Thursday that feedback from a recent Premier League survey had highlighted "a few too many" clear holding offences going unpunished.

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