Seething Steve Cooper demands another apology from referee chiefs as Forest boss blasts VAR over Harry Maguire handball

ANGRY Steve Cooper slammed VAR for not awarding Nottingham Forest a penalty against Man Utd and insisted chief referees Howard Webb ‘must apologize again’

The under-fire Forest boss was furious, video official Andy Madley failed to intervene after referee Simon Hooper rejected Forest’s appeals for handball against United defender Harry Maguire.

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Forest lost the game 2-0 after goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot.

And Cooper explained: “It’s a really bad mistake.

“One from the referee on the pitch but for VAR not to be there they apologized last week and have to apologize again tomorrow which means absolutely nothing.

“It happens too often.

“I won’t say it’s the absolute reason we lost, but it’s a definite penalty and possibly a second yellow card for Maguire. It could have been a game changer.

“These mistakes shouldn’t happen.

“I’m struggling to get used to it, especially with the VAR.

“We’re having a tough time with the refereeing department and unfortunately we’re at the wrong end.

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“I spoke to the referee but he didn’t see it anymore because they’re not allowed to see it.

“It was all respectful, I just kindly told him what I think about it.”

However, former top Prem umpire Mark Halsey supported the officials, saying: “That wasn’t worth a penalty. It wasn’t clear it was intentional handball.

“I’m sure Steve Cooper wouldn’t be happy if that went against him.”

The loss extended Cooper’s winless run to 10 games and leaves Forest in 18th place on goal difference.