LONDON, Dec 30 – West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo voiced frustration with the current interpretation of contact rules during corner kicks, stating that players are increasingly unsure of what constitutes a foul. The admission comes after a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, a match where West Ham twice took the lead only to concede late goals.
Confusion Over Contact Rules Plagues West Ham
The West Ham manager believes a lack of clarity from referees is creating uncertainty for players regarding permissible physical contact during set pieces.
- West Ham United drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned about inconsistent officiating regarding contact during corners.
- Brighton was awarded two penalties during the match.
- West Ham is currently third from bottom in the Premier League.
The Portuguese manager questioned a penalty awarded to Brighton after Lucas Paqueta was penalized for a challenge on Lewis Dunk. “I was talking to the referee because there are a lot of circumstances happening this season that many times they don’t judge or whistle, so it’s getting confusing for the players. How excessive the contact can be or not,” Espirito Santo said. What level of physical contact is permissible during corner kicks is a growing concern for players and managers alike.
Welbeck converted the first penalty, and was then given another opportunity to score from the spot just three minutes later after the Paqueta incident. Welbeck’s second attempt hit the crossbar, preventing Brighton from taking the lead immediately. Paqueta later equalized for West Ham from a penalty awarded after Callum Wilson’s shot was blocked by Dunk’s arm, but Joel Veltman secured a point for Brighton after the break.
Espirito Santo emphasized the need for clearer guidance from officials. “We arrive at a situation that it’s difficult for players to judge how far they can go. I am disappointed to concede from a set piece because in that moment of the game we had it,” he stated. “The referees must be clear, we had a meeting with PGMOL at the start of the season. Now, at halfway they should do it again to speak with the players.”
The draw leaves West Ham without a win in eight Premier League matches and positioned third from bottom, four points above the relegation zone at the season’s midpoint. Brighton, despite dominating the latter stages of the match, were unable to secure all three points.
