'I don't like 80 per cent of English referees', says furious Roberto De Zerbi

The Italian also criticised the implementation of VAR in the Premier League after his side laboured to a 1-1 draw at home to the second from bottom side in the division.

Brighton finished the game with 10 men having seen Mahmoud Dahoud shown a straight red card after 69 minutes by referee John Brookes for a challenge on Ben Osborn.

Simon Adingra had put the Seagulls ahead on six minutes, however, an own goal by Adam Webster on 74 minutes saw the spoils get shared.

De Zerbi was shown a yellow card shortly after Sheffield United's equaliser.

He was also shown four yellow cards and one red last season, which resulted in two touchline bans.

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And it seems there's still some bad blood between De Zerbi and the Premier League officials as he criticised the conduct of the vast majority of them.

"I am honest and clear, I don't like 80 per cent of English referees," De Zerbi said. "It's not a new thing, I don't like them."

When asked why, he replied: "The behaviour, I don't like their behaviour on the pitch."

De Zerbi accepted the red card four Dahoud but has a gripe with the way with the dependability of VAR in the Premier League.

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"If I see the new rules it's a red card, clear, he added. "But I was a player and the dynamic of the situation wasn't a red card, but we have to accept (it). Dahoud knows the mistake."

He continued: "England is the only country where, when there is VAR, you are not sure the decision is right.

"In other countries you have to be sure the referee is 100 per cent right. In England no, I'm not able to understand (that)."