Cooper wants overhaul of ‘negative impact’ VAR

STEVE COOPER joined the growing army of managers who want a VAR reboot after claiming it is creating “animosity inside stadia”.

The Nottingham Forest boss was reluctant to point the finger at referee Anthony Taylor after more penalty controversy and a red card for Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.

But Cooper blamed the VAR system for poisoning the atmosphere after a stormy clash ended with players squaring up to each other at full-time following the Seagulls’ celebrations.

“I want to be in the camp of supporting referees but VAR is clearly having a massive negative impact,” said Cooper.

“It has caused animosity on the pitch and in the stadium and that’s where we are at the moment.”

Cooper was angered when Taylor awarded Brighton a 58th-minute penalty, scored by Joao Pedro, for a foul by striker Chris Wood.

That made it 3-1 to Brighton but Taylor then made another call driven by VAR, awarding a penalty to Forest for a foul on Callum Hudson-odoi.

The Lewis Dunk sending off was clarified as a yellow for encroaching too close to the VAR screen followed just 20 seconds later by a straight red for foul and abusive language.

On the first penalty, Cooper added: “You see that from Anthony – one of the top ones (referees) – it’s hard to hold back.”

Brighton’s substitutes and entire backroom staff added to the sense of fury among home fans when they celebrated wildly at full-time. Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said: “It was not disrespectful to our opponents. We have been suffering.”

De Zerbi will not fine Dunk and added: “I don’t like rules. I’m not a policeman, I’m a coach.”