Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi sent off after poking fun at Howard Webb meeting

On Feb 19, 2023

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was sent off in the aftermath of his side’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham on Saturday after complaining about a meeting he had with referees chief Howard Webb ahead of the game.

The Italian reportedly stormed down the tunnel after the final whistle and fumed about having his preparation time wasted to referee Darren England, who subsequently brandished his red card.

Explaining his post-match dismissal to the BBC, De Zerbi said: “I told the referee that I lost time in the meeting with his boss this week. Nothing more.”

In a interview with Sky Sports, he further explained: “I lost time and lost time in my work and my job because I think the level of refereeing in the Premier League is very bad.

“To progress we have to be with a different attitude. The referee today wasn’t in [a] good attitude. But it’s not a problem, I didn’t say any bad words, but I told him my opinion.”

The Seagulls were downed by an 88th-minute winner scored by Fulham’s Manor Solomon, who played under Ze Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk.

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Roberto De Zerbi embraces Alexis Mac Allister after their defeat to Fulham

De Zerbi defended his decision to embrace Solomon at full time, saying: “He was my player and I love him because we stayed six months. I’m happy for him, but sad for the result. At the end of the game he is my friend.”

The win sees Marco Silva’s men leapfrog Brighton into sixth in the table, though the south coast side have two games in hand on their London opponents.