“`html
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo has called for the Premier League to ban towels from the sidelines, arguing they contribute to delays during throw-ins and effectively turn them into set-pieces. The issue came to a head during Forest’s 2-0 victory over Brentford on January 26, 2026, where Brentford players repeatedly used towels to dry the ball before taking throw-ins.
The Controversy Over Sideline Towels
Espírito Santo believes the practice of drying the ball with towels substantially slows down play, giving opposing teams more time to organize defensively. he questions the fairness of allowing home teams to provide towels while away teams have no real say in the matter, even though Premier League guidelines state towels must be available to both sides. He argues that the current system doesn’t ensure equitable access or prevent time-wasting.
“They have towels on the sidelines. I can’t work that out,” Espírito Santo said in his post-match press conference. “How can a home team be allowed to decide if they have towels on the sidelines or not? It’s not about Brentford, it’s the rules. It just adds another layer of things for us to worry about.”
EFL’s Stance and Potential Solutions
The English Football League (EFL) already addressed this issue by banning the use of towels – or any other materials – to dry the ball before throw-ins prior to the 2023-24 season. This demonstrates a proactive approach to maintaining game flow. The EFL website details the regulations governing matchday procedures.
Espírito Santo advocates for the Premier League to adopt a similar policy: “Why not in the Premier League, just go, no towels, just get on with the game? It’s dead easy, isn’t it? It’s not rocket science. Why make it more complicated? It’s unfathomable to me.”
The Impact of Throw-Ins as Set-Pieces
The increasing sophistication of throw-in routines has led to them being considered a meaningful attacking opportunity in modern football. Teams now dedicate considerable training time to developing complex routines, making rapid throw-ins less common as players prioritize precision and organization. The use of towels exacerbates this trend, allowing for even more intentional set-up time. The Guardian published an article in 2024 detailing the growing importance of throw-ins in tactical setups.
Key Takeaways
- Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo wants the Premier League to ban towels from the sidelines.
- He believes towels contribute to time-wasting during throw-ins, turning them into de facto set-pieces.
- The EFL banned towels before throw-ins in the 2023-24 season.
- The debate highlights the evolving role of throw-ins as a tactical weapon in modern football.
Looking Ahead
The Premier League is highly likely to discuss Espírito Santo’s concerns during upcoming meetings.
Keep reading