Man City vs Arsenal: Haaland Escapes Sanction for Ball Throwing

Erling Haaland will not face any punishment for throwing the ball at Gabriel Magalhães following Manchester City’s stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal, according to a source familiar with the situation.

During the dramatic match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Haaland was captured on camera throwing the ball into the back of Magalhães’s head after John Stones scored to equalise in the 2-2 clash.

The incident was not seen by the on-field referee Michael Oliver. However, Video Assistant Referee John Brooks reviewed the moment and deemed that it did not amount to violent conduct. A source reported that the Football Association (FA) is satisfied with how the situation was managed at the time and confirmed that Haaland would not be subject to any retrospective action.

Earlier in the match, Haaland had opened the scoring, giving City a 1-0 lead. After the final whistle, he found himself at the center of a heated discussion with Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta and striker Gabriel Jesus.

The tension stemmed from City players being frustrated with what they perceived as time-wasting tactics by Arsenal. This frustration was heightened after Arsenal was reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Leandro Trossard in the second half.

Manuel Akanji, a defender for Manchester City, voiced the team’s frustrations, stating, “We have to defend ourselves because in every duel, every free kick that was given, they went on the floor.” He further highlighted the perceived antics of Arsenal players, saying, “Players go on the floor to get up, sprint back again, go on the floor again.”

Akanji expressed concerns about the control of the match, saying it ultimately depends on the referee to manage such situations throughout the season. “In the end, it’s up to the referee to control throughout the whole season, to control these situations. But yeah, there’s nothing else we can do about it,” he added.

After the match concluded, Sky Sports cameras captured Haaland confronting Arteta. The Norwegian international told the Arsenal manager to “stay humble” as Arteta was shaking hands with players on the pitch.

Haaland’s comments were met with silence from Arteta. He then engaged in a tense exchange with Jesus, referring to the Arsenal forward as a “clown” on two occasions.

The match and subsequent incidents have drawn significant attention, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two clubs and the high stakes involved in their encounters. Haaland’s refusal to back down in the post-match discussions underscores the passion that drives many players at this level of competition.

As the Premier League season continues, both teams will be closely monitored, particularly for incidents that could lead to further disciplinary action. The scrutiny over player conduct and referee decisions is sure to remain a hot topic as the season progresses.

Source: ESPN