Erling Haaland might face disciplinary punishment after complaining about referee Simon Hooper on social media during Manchester City’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
The City striker was enraged when the referee refused to play an advantage in the final seconds of a thrilling Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland was fouled but soon got up and passed Jack Grealish through on goal, only for Hooper to pull play back and award a free kick.
Haaland was one of several City players to vehemently remonstrate with the official, and he continued his objections after the game by publishing a footage of the incident on X, formerly Twitter, with the message “Wtf,” which is obscene slang.
Manager Pep Guardiola was unaware of Haaland’s social media post when he spoke to reporters after the game, but, alluding to Haaland’s on-field reaction, stated he could understand the player’s rage.
“It’s normal,” stated the City manager. “His reaction was the same for all ten players.” Because it is against the rules to converse with the referees or fourth officials, we should have had ten guys sent off today.
“He’s a little disappointed. Even the referee would be dissatisfied if he was playing for Manchester City today.”
Guardiola attempted to moderate his comments, saying in a TV interview that he did not want to make a “Mikel Arteta comment,” referring to the Arsenal manager’s contentious words following a game against Newcastle last month.
In a press conference, he continued, “I make mistakes, and the players make mistakes.”
“It surprised me because it was fine to whistle at the time Erling went down.”
“But when he stands up and continues, and the referee makes that gesture to play on, and after he (Haaland) makes the pass, he then stops the game — I don’t want to criticise him.”
“On the touchline sometimes I lose my mind and my gestures are not proper but for many years as a manager I’m not a guy, when I’m refreshed, to comment.”