Nuno Espirito Santo Urges Trust in Referees Ahead of New Season Amid FA Punishment

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has called for trust in referees as the Premier League season kicks off, emphasizing that the improvements planned under Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb could boost the standard of officiating in England.

Nuno’s remarks come in the wake of his own misconduct charge by the Football Association, where he was fined £40,000 and handed a suspended one-game touchline ban until May 2026. The punishment stems from his critical comments following last season’s controversial 2-0 defeat to Everton, where three penalty calls went against Forest. The club’s defender, Neco Williams, also received a £24,000 fine for similar remarks.

Forest’s frustration after the Everton game sparked widespread attention, especially after an angry statement was posted on X (formerly Twitter), drawing over 45 million views within minutes. While the charge against Forest as a club remains under review, Nuno has since taken steps to temper his criticism, opting instead to engage directly with Webb over the summer.

Speaking ahead of Forest’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth at the City Ground, Nuno reflected on his dialogue with Webb and other officials. “We had a nice meeting, the managers, and he [Webb] explained in detail the changes they want to implement. Decisions to take less time, better decisions—I’m confident,” said Nuno. “I’m really confident after the meetings we’ve had things will improve, not only for Forest but for all the Premier League. They are trying very hard to improve. We have to trust the referees.”

Nuno’s shift in tone aligns with the Premier League’s new stance on regulating public criticism of the video assistant referee (VAR) system. The league is keen to reduce the scapegoating of VAR, which it believes became an easy target for blame last season. With new measures to enhance officiating—including semi-automated offsides set to debut by October—the league is doubling down on streamlining decision-making and curbing delays.

Despite last season’s frustrations, Nuno appears determined to focus on performance rather than refereeing disputes. When asked whether he expects to avoid complaints this season, the Forest boss was candid. “I hope not, honestly,” he said. “When people tell you and speak to you and you see their desire to improve, we have to trust them, and we as a club have to trust them.”

The Premier League’s ongoing dialogue with managers and clubs, as well as this season’s officiating updates, signal a renewed commitment to fairness and transparency on the pitch. Yet, the tension surrounding VAR persists, with Wolves standing alone in a vote to scrap the technology earlier this year. The resolution failed overwhelmingly, with 19 of the 20 clubs supporting its continuation.

As Forest prepare to take on Bournemouth, the spotlight remains on how Nuno’s side, and the wider league, navigate the season’s crucial decisions. Trust, it seems, will be the key—both on the pitch and in the dugout.