Erling Haaland took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with referee Simon Hooper during Manchester City's dramatic 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
The City striker was enraged when the official failed to award a penalty in the last seconds of a thrilling Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland was one of several City players who yelled loudly at the official, and he continued his complaints after the game by publishing a video of the incident on X, formerly Twitter, with the message "Wtf," which is foul slang.
Did you read this?
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 3, 2023
Manager Pep Guardiola was unaware of Haaland's social media post when he spoke to reporters after the game, but he stated he could understand the player's rage based on his on-field reaction.
"It's normal," the City manager replied. "For ten players, his reaction was the same. Because it is against the rules to speak with the referees or fourth officials, we should have had ten guys sent off today.
"He's a little dissatisfied. Even the referee, if he played for Manchester City today, would be disappointed in that action."
Guardiola attempted to moderate his comments, saying in a TV interview that he did not want to make a "Mikel Arteta comment," referring to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's contentious words following a game against Newcastle last month.
In a press conference, he remarked, "I make mistakes, the players make mistakes."
"It surprised me because in the moment Erling went down (and) if you whistle in that moment it's fine.
"But when he stands up and continues and the referee makes that gesture to play on, and after he (Haaland) makes the pass he then stops the game -- I don't want to criticize him.
