Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager of Nottingham Forest, has expressed his hope that he will refrain from criticizing referees in the upcoming season. After being fined and warned about his conduct by the Football Association for his remarks about referees last season, Nuno has made efforts to rein in his criticism. He expects Howard Webb, the former World Cup final referee who oversees officiating at the top level in England, to drive up standards.
Nuno and Forest defender Neco Williams were fined for misconduct and warned about their future conduct by the Football Association after being critical of referees following their defeat by Everton last season. Forest had three penalty decisions go against them in that game, leading Nuno to express his dissatisfaction with the work of the referees. However, Nuno has had a positive meeting with Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) boss Howard Webb this summer, where Webb explained the changes they want to implement to improve decision-making and reduce the time taken for decisions.
Nuno expressed confidence in the improvements being made, not only for Forest but for the entire Premier League. He stated that the referees are working hard to improve and that the club needs to trust them. Forest is still awaiting a verdict on the charge leveled against them as a club after the Everton game, when an angry statement was posted on social media just minutes after the final whistle.
The Premier League has also taken steps to address public criticism of the video assistant referee (VAR) system, as it felt that such criticism undermined the game. Clubs and managers have been spoken to about this issue, and there will be a new focus on regulating comments about VAR. In June, Premier League clubs voted to keep VAR for the new season, with only Wolves voting in favor of scrapping it.
Changes are being implemented this season to reduce delays in the game, including the introduction of semi-automated offsides by October. These changes aim to improve decision-making and enhance the overall experience for players and fans alike.
As Nottingham Forest prepares to start their 2024-25 Premier League campaign against Bournemouth, Nuno Espirito Santo remains hopeful that he will refrain from criticizing referees in the new season. He believes in the efforts being made to improve decision-making and reduce delays in the game, and he hopes that the club will trust the referees to get the big decisions right. With the Premier League also taking steps to regulate public criticism of VAR, the focus is on improving the game and ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for all involved.