Gabriele Marcotti, an ESPN soccer writer, argues that the pre-kick wrestling during set pieces is detrimental to the sport. He notes the excessive holding, grabbing, and blocking that occurs, especially during corner kicks. This practice, he believes, detracts from the beauty of the game and is not what fans want to see.

Marcotti uses the recent Chelsea vs. Brentford match as an example, where defenders engaged in constant grappling. He emphasizes that while physicality is part of football, the current level of hand-to-hand combat during set pieces is excessive and often goes unpunished by referees. The writer believes this makes the sport less enjoyable.

He doesn't fault the players or referees entirely, pointing out that players will always push boundaries and referees follow directives. However, Marcotti suggests stricter enforcement of existing rules, particularly Law 12.1, which addresses holding and impeding opponents. Stricter enforcement could lead to more goals and a more engaging experience for fans.