ROBERTO DE ZERBI launched a scathing attack on Prem officials and VAR, blasting: “I don’t like 80 per cent of referees in England.”
The Brighton boss was booked for mouthing off to fourth official Andrew Madley after Adam Webster’s own goal gifted Sheffield United a point.
De Zerbi was raging at ref John Brooks for sending off Mahmoud Dahoud for a nasty tackle on Ben Osborn moments earlier.
The Seagulls chief stormed: “I am honest and clear and I don’t like 80 per cent of referees in England.
“It’s not a new thing. I don’t like them or their behaviour on the pitch.
“England is the only country where when there is a VAR check you are not sure it is the right decision.
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“In other countries you have to be 100 per cent sure the referee’s decision is right.
“In England, no, and I’m not able to understand it.
“Until the red card there was only one team on the pitch. With one less player we lost order and lost our style.”
However, TV replays appeared to show Brooks got it right, with VAR Chris Kavanagh backing his verdict that Dahoud’s ugly tackle deserved a straight red card.
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And ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey declared: “Roberto can have no complaints over Dahoud’s red.
“The ball was nowhere near Osborn’s ankle and the Brighton man deliberately stamped on him.”
De Zerbi added: “If I see the new rules, it is a red card, clear.
“But I was a player and the dynamic of the situation is not a red card — but we have to accept it.”
Asked if referees in Europe are better, De Zerbi said: “I’m working in England and I speak only about the referees here.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
