BREAKING: FIFA president announce new punishment for Man city Star for V!olent conduct against Mikel Arteta – Congratulations Arsenal fans
BREAKING: FIFA president announce new punishment for Man city Star for V!olent conduct against Mikel Arteta – Congratulations Arsenal fans
Mark Halsey is stunned that Erling Haaland has avoided retrospective punishment from the authorities following the bad-blooded clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Premier League champions spent the entire second half pursuing an equaliser against their title rivals, who went in at the break 2-1 up but a man down after Leandro Trossard was sent off.
John Stones eventually struck at the death to salvage a point for City as tensions ran high both on the pitch and the touchline – and Haaland was right in the thick of the drama.
The Norwegian striker, who had earlier plundered his 100th goal for the club, was seen launching the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head following City’s late leveller before becoming embroiled in clashes both before and after the final whistle
And while it has since emerged that Haaland will not be reprimanded for his actions by The Football Association, former Premier League referee Halsey reckons City’s talisman could have had no complaints if he was handed a ban.
“You could argue it’s violent conduct because it’s like he’s throwing an object at someone’s head. It’s like he’s throwing a punch at someone’s head,” Halsey told The Sun.
“It will be interesting to see if the FA take retrospective action over that incident because it could be construed as violent conduct.”
After clashing with Gabriel during the match, footage of Haaland goading Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was released on Monday. He told the Spaniard “stay humble eh, stay humble eh” on the pitch before being confronted by Gabriel Jesus.
The former City man also drew Haaland’s ire with the striker fuming: “Talking about what I wasn’t talking about f***ing clown.” He then appeared to push Jesus away slightly before adding: “What you talking about… Get the f*** away you f***ing clown.”
Haaland was defended after the Gabriel incident by Alan Shearer who described his actions as “harmless”. He told Match of The Day 2: “I don’t think there was any harm in it. It was a really difficult game for the referee, but in terms of the aggression and the one v one battles, it was a fascinating game.”
