Nuno Espirito Santo Interview Was Pulled After Abuse From Fans

Nuno Espirito Santo was spared an immediate post match interview, following Tottenham Hotspur's north London derby defeat to Arsenal, after being met by abuse from fans.

Sunday was the worst possible first north London derby for Nuno, following his appointment as Spurs' boss this summer, as Arsenal battered his side 3-1, following a brilliant first half.

There were some big questions for Tottenham to answer following the game, and the Portuguese manager was top of the list to answer them.

However, Nuno didn't appear on Sky Sports straight away to do his post match interview, and it was delayed longer than the usual deadline.

According to the Daily Mail, that's because the interview was pulled by Sky just moments before, with the 47-year-old subject to 'x-rated' abuse from fans.

It wasn't a good day for Nuno on Sunday. Image: PA Images

Managers are required to go in front of the cameras between 20-45 minutes after the full time whistle but this time the Tottenham boss was allowed to wait longer.

He went back down the tunnel, after being ready to be spoken to, and didn't re-emerge to talk to the broadcaster until fans had left the Emirates Stadium.

The abuse, and the subsequent delay of Nuno's interview, could mean the end of interviews taking place at the side of the pitch, at least for the lead broadcaster.

Post match interviews traditionally took place in the tunnel but since Project Restart in June 2020, managers and players have been interviewed by the side of the pitch, due to Covid restrictions.

Fans haven't been in the grounds for much of that time, so it hasn't been an issue, but they are now able to disrupt those interviews now fans are back in full attendance in stadia.

It was a day of despair for Tottenham. Image: PA Images

The Mails report says those could come to an end as early as this weekend, with interviews heading back inside, at least for Sky or BT Sports, depending on who is showing that game.

Those companies would be allowed an interview room, but other outlets may still have to do interviews pitchside, causing the same issues Nuno, and others have come across.

Not all pitchside interviews have gone wrong though, with legendary Arsenal keeper David Seaman and current Gunners number one Aaron Ramsdale enjoying a hell of a time on Sunday.

At least next time he loses, Nuno can avoid the abuse, as long as he doesn't go on social media anyway...

Topics: Premier League, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Nuno Espirito Santo, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28