Everton manager David Moyes has launched a scathing critique of modern football's obsession with set-pieces, warning that the game is descending into a form of 'wrestling' due to widespread use of the 'dark arts'. The experienced boss insists that referees must urgently regain control by clamping down on illegal blocking and other manipulative tactics that have become rampant during corners and free-kicks.
Everton's Controversial Corner Tactics Spark Debate
Moyes's comments follow intense criticism directed at his Everton side after their recent 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. During that match, the Toffees were accused of packing the six-yard box with multiple players who stood aggressively on the toes of goalkeeper Senne Lammens, obstructing his movement and vision. This provocative strategy ignited a fierce debate about the boundaries of fair play in contemporary football.
However, Moyes was quick to clarify that such an extreme approach was never part of Everton's intended game plan. He explained the practical difficulties of communicating adjustments mid-match, stating, 'Truthfully, it wasn't the plan for our corner kicks to end up like that. I don't think there's any problem in trying to get something but it wasn't really what we wanted at all and it was very difficult to get the message on.'
A Systemic Problem with Refereeing Standards
The Scottish manager emphasised that this incident is merely a symptom of a much larger, systemic issue plaguing the sport. He argued that referees have consistently allowed blocking of goalkeepers and defenders to go unpunished, creating a permissive environment where such tactics flourish. 'It has been allowed to let go, whether it be blocking of goalkeepers or blocking of defenders, and you get the feeling now that referees really don't want to get involved in any of it,' Moyes lamented.
He drew a stark comparison to wrestling, highlighting how physical interference has distorted the essence of football. 'It is nearly wrestling to an extent, which it shouldn't be. It should never have gone to this situation but I think it's been really poor that they've not tried to deal with it well enough and stop it,' Moyes asserted, pointing to a significant decline in officiating standards.
The 'Dark Arts' and Managerial Mimicry
Moyes identified blocking as a particularly egregious example of these 'dark arts', noting that in his playing days, such actions would have been immediately penalised with a free-kick. 'You are now allowed lots of blocking, for example. In my day if you blocked someone it would have been a free-kick. But blocking has become a big part of it,' he observed, underscoring how the rules have been eroded over time.
He singled out Arsenal as a team that executes set-pieces with notable style and precision, yet still engages in these questionable practices. '(They have a) good delivery, good style but ultimately there's a lot of dark arts in it such as blocking the goalkeeper from the back or the front, blocking defenders and making it difficult for them to be your key headers of the ball,' Moyes explained, acknowledging the tactical sophistication involved.
The Everton boss concluded by highlighting a vicious cycle where managers feel compelled to adopt these tactics once they see others benefiting without punishment. 'It is a big thing in football but I do think the level of refereeing has let that part of the game drop. And managers, if we see somebody else doing it and not getting punished for it, then we are all on it,' he stated, calling for a unified effort to restore integrity to set-piece situations.
