Erling Haaland of Manchester City has blasted referee Simon Hooper on social media for a contentious call that came late in Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Tottenham.
After being deprived of the chance to play an advantage in the dying seconds of an exciting Premier League game at Etihad Stadium, the Norway attacker became furious with Hooper.
Haaland was one of many City players who argued with the referee. He persisted in his protestations by releasing a video of the incident on X, the former Twitter, and ending it with the derogatory slang phrase “Wtf” after the game.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Haaland was fouled; he was able to regain his feet, turn, and send Jack Grealish away, which infuriated City.
At first, Hooper seemed to accept the infraction and wave play forward, but he later sounded his whistle to bring play back for a City free-kick.
The players for City protested the decision, and analysts criticised it.
“I find it to be utterly shocking. Jermaine Jenas stated, “I really do,” at the BBC’s Match of the Day 2.
“I have no idea what Simon Hooper is contemplating. Although it’s obvious that something went wrong, I think it’s a monster of a mistake.”
Leon Osman, a fellow former England midfielder, stated: “It’s a huge mistake – with the technology we have, there is no getting away from that, but I have a slight bit of sympathy.” He immediately raised his hands in the air.
“But this one mistake is all that people will want to talk about.”
