Cesar Peixoto and Jose Sa left questioning referees in one key area

Cesar Peixoto and Jose Sa are looking for more clarity from officials over penalty area grappling and blocking after the early weeks of the Championship season.

Both Wolves boss and goalkeeper believe the pre-season instructions that grappling and blocking at corners would result in fouls are not being followed out in the middle.

Peixoto acknowledges it is a very difficult job for referees to be able to spot and track everything that takes place in a crowded penalty area, but believes there have already been obvious examples which have gone unchecked.

“I see the pulling of shirts and pulling at corners and blocks on goalkeepers all the time, and, for me, it is unfair for my players and other players,” said the head coach. “I think it’s important in these moments to help the referees, and we were told at the meeting in London at the beginning of the season – with all the coaches – that where there are blocks and these kinds of pushes, they are going to whistle.

“I think that puts more clarity in the game, but it’s not happening, although it is difficult for referees to always see what is happening inside of these blocks.”

For Sa, it’s an issue that came particularly to the fore during Sunday’s big derby in the Second City, as Birmingham sent in a string of superb corners pretty much right under his crossbar.

Ultimately Sa, and Wolves, managed to keep them all out, but the keeper admits uncertainty remains about what is or isn’t allowed inside the six-yard box or penalty area.

“It was very strange because in the tunnel before the game, I started talking with the referee to try and find out what is allowed and what is not,” he said. “As goalkeepers we need to know!

“In the referee meetings, they say that this season, if a player blocks the goalkeeper it is a foul.

“Last game they did that (blocking), but we had a player with their player, so we understand that - they are fighting for position.

“So, this game, we take out our player, and they are still doing the same and blocking the goalkeeper, but it is not given as a foul.

“This is what I don’t understand.

“Why they talk about the rules in the beginning but then you get into the game, and it doesn’t happen like that.

“I just want to know what is allowed and what isn’t, but it is very difficult.”