Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo backs proposals to change the offside rule – ‘If Arsene Wenger says it, I support it’

Arsene Wenger's proposals to change VAR and technicalities in the offside rule has been backed by Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

VAR, which has had huge amounts of criticism this season for disallowing goals for an offside toe or armpit, will be used for the first time in the Europa League this season on Thursday, with the Wanderers hosting Espanyol in the last 32.

Wenger, FIFA's chief of global football development, expressed a plan which would mean a player would be deemed onside if any part of their body is level or behind the last defender.

Wenger later clarified his comments, saying in a FIFA statement: "I am well aware that any rules changes are subject to a standard approval process... within the scope of the established IFAB (International Football Association Board) framework."

Football's rulemakers IFAB meets next weekend and has ruled out making changes, but Nuno agrees with the former Arsenal manager's call.

He said: "Everybody that is outside the decision-making of the law can give opinions and clearly the opinions are to improve, to make things better for everybody. So if Arsene Wenger said that I support it.

"The best people to judge and to make decisions are implicated. I truly respect them but like I say, make it better for everybody so that does not become an issue.

"VAR has names behind them, there are referees judging those decisions so every time we say 'VAR' we must start doing 'Who is doing VAR', more public. If it improves - good.

"It's part of us. It is here to stay, the only thing I hope for is an improvement. To be more clear to everyone, especially for the players because sometimes they are on the pitch and they don't understand the decision.

"That takes away the concentration, takes away the focus - the game delays for too much time."

Wolves were denied a win by VAR in Friday's 0-0 draw with Leicester after Willy Boly's header was disallowed because Pedro Neto was marginally offside.

They now turn their attention to Espanyol who are bottom of LaLiga - having finished seventh last season - after winning just four times.

They topped Group H with 11 points and have played 39 games this term having started their campaign with the qualifiers in July, like Wolves.

Thursday's clash will be Wolves' 43rd game of the season and Conor Coady believes the squad are proving any doubters wrong.

"It's brilliant, any player will tell you they want to play than train. It's something every player wants," he said, with just Ruben Vinagre missing for Thursday's game with a hamstring injury.

"It's what you work for. A lot of people wanted to see us and say 'they are finding it tough' but we wanted to embrace it and show to ourselves and our supporters we could do it."