Erling Haaland aimed a foul-mouthed rant in the direction of referee Simon Hooper after Manchester City drew 3-3 with Tottenham in a dramatic Premier League clash.
In the dying seconds, Haaland played a ball over the top that seemingly sent Jack Grealish through on goal. However, the official then bizarrely blew up and awarded a free-kick to City, adjudging the striker to have been fouled after playing the ball.
As Haaland walked down the tunnel at the final whistle, he appeared to shout: “Fk off! Fk off!” in the direction of Hooper. The incident compounded a day of frustration for the striker and for Pep Guardiola.
At 1-1 in the first half, the Premier League’s top scorer somehow fired wide from point blank range. Still, it seemed City were heading for three points when Grealish swept home in the 81st minute to make it 3-2.
But Dejan Kulusevski then headed in to level matters in the final minute, prompting a flurry of late City attacks. And it was unclear as to why Hooper, who initially allowed play to continue after Haaland’s pass, opted to blow up at a critical moment.
A number of City players duly surrounded the referee, with Haaland booked for his protests as Guardiola vented his anger towards the fourth official on the touchline. And as boos rang out from the home fans, just seconds later the referee was subjected to more protests with City wanting a penalty after Manuel Akanji went down in the area under pressure from Oliver Skipp.
The City manager was on the field at full-time amid more arguments, before Haaland appeared to aim his abuse at Hooper then head for the changing rooms. And BBC pundit Dion Dublin said he understood his frustrations.
“I don’t understand what the referee has seen there,” he said. “Yes Haaland was clipped but he was back to his feet and played Grealish in behind, Grealish is one on one with the keeper.”
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland could face possible disciplinary action after complaining about referee Simon Hooper on social media following his side’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday. Haaland was incensed after the official failed to play an advantage in the closing moments of the game, which would have possibly put Jack Grealish through on goal.
City now drop to third in the table, three points off leaders Arsenal. It also means back-to-back home draws in the Premier League for Guardiola’s side after also conceding a late equaliser against Liverpool last weekend.