Manchester City must pay for Haaland's outburst

Erling Haaland flips out, Pep Guardiola too: out of anger at a referee's whistle, Premier League club Manchester City are collectively outraged - and will now probably have to pay for it. Superstar Haaland apparently doesn't have to fear any repercussions.

Manchester City's collective outrage at a referee's whistle is likely to cost them dearly: because several Skyblues players stormed referee Simon Hooper in the 95th minute of the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur, the English FA initiated proceedings against the English champions. Hooper had whistled City for an advantage at 3:3 - and thus robbed his team of a great chance of victory, especially superstar Erling Haaland believed. The Norwegian shouted at Hooper from close range, who needed both arms to keep the furious professional at least halfway at bay.

The FA will now probably punish Manchester City. "Manchester City has been charged with breaching FA rule E20.1 after its players surrounded the referee during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, December 3, 2023," it said in a statement. The club had "failed to ensure that its players did not behave improperly." City now has three days to respond to the allegations. It was only in February that City were fined 75,000 pounds by an independent panel for failing to control their players during the Premier League win over Arsenal that month.

"No Arteta comment" from Guardiola

Immediately after the game, coach Pep Guardiola had already been self-critical and conciliatory towards the referee: "On the touchline I sometimes lose my mind, my gesture wasn't right. People can always make mistakes. We didn't draw because of that late decision," said the Spaniard, who had also gesticulated wildly in Hooper's direction.

Guardiola defended his exceptional striker Haaland, saying it was normal and that "his reaction was the same as the other ten players". "He is a bit disappointed," Guardiola added, adding: "Even the referee - if he had played for Manchester City today - would have been disappointed with that action, that's for sure." Guardiola did not want to say any more about the scene. He would "not comment on Mikel Arteta", said the coach, referring to his Arsenal London colleague, who was recently punished by the FA for an angry outburst.

Haaland's anger had not subsided long after the game: With "Wtf?" - an abbreviation for - elegantly translated - "What the hell?" - the 23-year-old commented on a video of the scene. However, the striker no longer has to fear any personal repercussions from the scene. According to several media reports, the incident is over, at least for Haaland personally. He was shown a yellow card by Hooper on the pitch.