FA make Erling Haaland suspension decision after Man City star’s social media post

Erling Haaland will not face any action for his post-match social media post on Sunday, but Manchester City have been charged with failing to control their players in the latter stages of the 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

City’s players, led by Haaland, were furious at referee Simon Hooper’s decision not to play an advantage when the Norwegian striker was fouled but managed to get up and quickly play Jack Grealish through on goal. Instead, the official controversially awarded the free-kick and he was immediately surrounded by irate players.

As a result, City have been charged with failing to control their players, the third time that’s happened in the last 12 months. 

In a statement, the FA said: “Manchester City have been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 after their players surrounded the match official during the Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 3 December 2023.

“It's alleged that, during the 94th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure their players do not behave in a way which is improper. Manchester City have until Thursday 7 December 2023 to respond to the charge.”

However, Haaland has escaped punishment as his social media post is deemed to have not violated the FA’s policy on media comments. The 23-year-old reposted a video of the incident with Hooper, along with the caption ‘wtf’. But Haaland wasn’t punished as his post didn't imply bias, attack the referee's integrity, and was not 'personally offensive, prolonged, or particularly unreasonable'.

Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola did not criticise Hooper and said Haaland's reaction was normal, although he did admit his players' reaction could get them into trouble.

"It's normal. His [Haaland's] reaction was the same for 10 players," he said. "The rules are you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials so we should have had 10 players sent off today.

"He’s a little bit disappointed. Even the referee - if he played for Man City today he would be disappointed for that action, that’s for sure.

"It surprised me because in the moment Erling went down for the action, if you whistle in that moment it’s fine," he added. "But when he stands up and continues and the referee in that moment 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."