'What is a foul? What is a contact?' - Nuno calls for clarity
BBC Sport · 2026-03-06 · archive
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo is calling for clarity on what constitutes a foul at set-pieces, warning current levels of grappling and blocking are "almost crazy".
The Story So Far
West Ham United's coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, has formally questioned the present officiating of set-piece situations. The manager is seeking a better understanding of how referees determine illegal contact, highlighting concerns over the high volume of physical engagement occurring during dead-ball plays. He described the present amount of wrestling and defensive obstruction as extreme, warning that such physical activities on the pitch are now reaching an unreasonable level. By calling for improved consistency and transparency, the West Ham United manager currently aims to establish exactly where specific boundaries lie between fair physical competition and punishable offenses inside the penalty area.
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