Santo goes nuclear: West Ham boss joins Arsenal critics over Premier League set-piece chaos
6 March 2026
Set-piece tactics under the spotlight in the Premier League
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo called for clear, strict standards defining what constitutes a foul during set-pieces in the Premier League, warning that current levels of contact and simulation have become "almost crazy".
He stressed players must have a precise understanding of what is permitted and what constitutes a foul, noting that there are ongoing unusual practices in matches.
“We want to know what is a foul, what is permissible contact, and how far we can push,” Santo said, adding that we are seeing things that are far from normal.
He said he has raised his concerns directly with the head of the referees' body (PGMOL), who acknowledged the issue in managing set-pieces.
He described what is allowed on set-pieces as "crazy," pointing out that many pulls and challenges by players, as well as objections, are clear fouls that referees do not punish.
He emphasized that deliberate pressure on goalkeepers during set-pieces makes their job almost impossible, especially with crowded walls impeding movement.
Context in the Premier League
The issue is not isolated: Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, argued that the overemphasis on set-pieces has robbed matches of entertainment.
Meanwhile, Brighton coach Fabian Horzeler criticized inconsistencies in foul-calls for the same action from one game to another.
David Moyes added that Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are “leaders” in using what he calls the "dark arts" to disrupt opponents during corners.
Author’s note: if football were a magic show, the corner would be the rabbit—and the referee the guy who keeps pulling it back out of the hat, just when you thought the trick was over.
Punchline 1: If set-pieces were a stand-up routine, the wall would steal the show and the goalkeeper would take the night off—the encore would be a goal anyway, somehow.
Punchline 2: In football, the only thing sharper than a striker’s run is the referee’s whistle—two minutes of drama, a ball that never really leaves the corner.
