'What is a foul? What is a contact?' - Nuno calls for clarity

Corners need to be reviewed, says West Ham boss Nuno West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has called for clarity on what constitutes a foul at set-pieces, warning current levels of grappling and blocking are "almost crazy". The Hammers boss became the latest Premier League chief to weigh-in on the issue as he called for refereeing officials to visit clubs and explain to players "what is a foul, what is a contact, how far can you go... because we are seeing things that are not normal". Speaking before his side's FA Cup match against Brentford on Monday, Nuno revealed he had raised concerns with Howard Webb, head of referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). "What the referee has now allowed, what's happening in the set-piece situation is, I'll say, almost crazy," Nuno told reporters. "I think they should review it. I can see that many of them are fouls - the contacts, the holding, the grabbing, the blocks. "Many things are happening. Some of them are legal, some of them are OK, but most of them are contacts that go much further than what is allowed in football." Earlier this month, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said the growing emphasis on set-pieces meant Premier League games were no longer a "joy to watch", with leaders Arsenal at the forefront of discussions around grabbing at corners. Everton boss David Moyes described Mikel Arteta's side as trailblazers in the use of "dark arts". Nuno Espirito Santo claims holding and pushing as set-pieces now goes "much further" than should be allowed Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has also hit out at the Gunners and went on to claim: "Some of the ways teams are blocking, there's no real rule. "Sometimes the referee whistles and it's a foul, sometimes it isn't a foul or they don't whistle." Those comments were echoed by Nuno, who said levels of contact now allowed on goalkeepers made their jobs "very, very difficult" as attackers crowd them in an effort to block their movement. "It's my personal consideration, and I already had the chance to address this worry to [PGMOL chief] Howard Webb," he added. "He was sensible enough to recognise that something is going on. It's not only me. I think it goes through all the league." 'Howard Webb, where are you?' - How we can stop VAR ruining football In defence of Arsenal - is criticism of Premier League leaders unfair? How can football's lawmakers fix the corner chaos? Latest West Ham news, analysis and fan views Ask about West Ham - what do you want to know? Liverpool cruise past Wolves to reach FA Cup quarter-finals Ireland deny spirited Wales to keep hopes alive Who's to blame for Spurs crisis? Jessie Buckley on The Bride! and Oscar nominated Hamnet The Nations Pod Guide puts Rome in the centre The Mitford sisters refuse to play by the rules The highlights of Piano Room Month 2026 with Vernon Kay Who is to blame for Spurs' chaotic descent towards relegation? Can Scotland's risk takers prevent Grand Slam procession for France? 'We should not have played' - how tennis was caught in Middle East conflict Winter Paralympics daily guide: 12 golds to be decided on Saturday 'Howard Webb, where are you?' - How we can stop VAR ruining football McCullum and Key look set to retain ECB support Borthwick banks on bibs to beat Italy and ease brewing crisis India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short. Video India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short Norris, Verstappen, Russell - and will it be any good? Key F1 storylines How relegation could cost Spurs more than £250m Meet GB's first female Paralympic snowboarder Watershed moment as Russia's sporting exile ends All you need to know about new F1 cars 'I cheated head-injury assessment to play on in 2017 Lions Test' 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.