Robert De Zerbi’s FA let-off could see abuse ‘snowball effect’ after the Brighton boss claimed he dislikes ’80 per cent of England’s referees’ following 1-1 draw with Sheffield United

• Mail Sport has launched a campaign to help stamp out abuse of match officials 
• Roberto De Zerbi’s comments came after his side were held by Sheffield United 
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The FA’s decision to let Roberto De Zerbi get away with saying he dislikes ‘80 per cent of England’s referees’ has sparked anger — with anti-abuse campaigners saying it sends a dangerous message which will only encourage more vitriol.

Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that the manager will not be charged for his rant after Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Sheffield United on November 12.

Instead, De Zerbi has received a formal warning from the FA, who had described referees as ‘the lifeblood of our game’ when they threw their backing behind Mail Sport’s campaign against the abuse of match officials this week.

The revelation that De Zerbi had escaped punishment infuriated Arsenal after Mikel Arteta was charged for his own outburst following the 1-0 loss to Newcastle. It is understood the Premier League title contenders may even cite De Zerbi’s comments in their defence to the FA, feeling it shows double standards and that they are being singled out.

Martin Cassidy, chief executive of the charity Ref Support UK, described De Zerbi’s rant as ‘ridiculous’ and on Thursday told Mail Sport: ‘How has he got away with that? We believe he should be charged. Not charging him will leave the FA open to inconsistencies. 

The decision not to charge Roberto De Zerbi could spark a ‘snowball’ effect claims an anti-abuse campaigners

De Zerbi controversially said after the game that he dislikes ’80 per cent of England’s referees’

Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees to help boost the game

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‘He feels so entitled that he can make those comments live on TV to millions of people. These comments are like a snowball that gradually gets bigger and ends with an avalanche of abuse on grassroots referees. It sends the wrong message.’

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Taking aim at the League Managers Association, Cassidy added: ‘Is there even a code of conduct among the LMA about how the members of their organisation are behaving?

‘Arteta, disgrace. De Zerbi, disgrace. Jurgen Klopp. Pep Guardiola. Where is the LMA in this? Their members are causing absolute chaos for referees across all levels of football and they are doing nothing whatsoever about it.

‘I would say that over 80 per cent of referees don’t like what De Zerbi said.’

Mahmoud Dahoud was sent off in Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United, prompting an irritated De Zerbi to complain in his post-match media duties: ‘I am honest and clear. I don’t like 80 per cent of England’s referees.

‘It’s not new. I don’t like them. I don’t like their behaviour on the pitch.’

Arteta was charged after Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle, when he described Anthony Gordon’s winning goal as an ‘absolute disgrace’, adding: ‘We have to talk about how the hell this goal stands up. I feel embarrassed. For more than one reason, it should not be a goal. I have been more than 20 years in this country and it is nowhere near the level of the best league of the world.’

When the FA announced that Arteta had been charged last week, they stated: ‘It is alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute.’

The Gunners boss was granted more time to respond to his FA charge — and the deadline is Friday.

Mikel Arteta was charged for his own outburst after Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle after VAR ruled Anthony Gordon’s goal was legal

Mahmoud Dahoud was sent off for the Seagulls, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Sheffield United

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