'Asking for it' and worse than Schar's - Erling Haaland red card verdict ahead of Newcastle clash


Manchester City could have been lining up WITHOUT Erling Haaland at St James' Park this weekend had the FA decided to take action following an explosive end to last weekend's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The City goal machine was seen throwing the ball off the back of Gunners' defender Gabriel's head following John Stones' injury-time equaliser as passions boiled over. The incident was not seen by match referee Michael Oliver nor VAR, and the FA opted not to take any further action.

Pep Guardiola will already be without Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne against Newcastle United, but should Haaland have joined him on the sidelines? We all want to see passion and commitment on the pitch, but did this cross the line? Here's what some of our writers and other big names in football have been saying.

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Lee Ryder

I did think what would have happened if a Newcastle player had done it. It sets a terrible example to younger players who look up to Erling Halaand and the FA should act. For me it is worthy of at least a one-match ban. It sets a dangerous precedent and we have seen many examples of Newcastle players being charged after retrospective action.

Aaron Stokes

Opinion will likely be split when it comes to Erling Haaland's post-equaliser antics in Manchester City's draw with Arsenal - and I too am having a tug of war between my head and my heart. The 'heart' AKA the Newcastle supporter in me says the book should have been thrown at the Norwegian to make sure he misses this weekend's clash, along with fellow key man Rodri, at St James' Park.

But my 'head' AKA the serious journalist in me (don't laugh) says let's not be ridiculous. What is football without a little bit of needle - and even though I probably wouldn't take too kindly to Haaland launching the ball off the heads of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, it was entertaining to see the fierce battle of City and Arsenal spilling over on Sunday.

Football is about rivalry and passion - and Haaland vs Gabriel is always a great battle to watch given their ability in their respective positions. Even some Arsenal fans would surely agree the Haaland incident was rather funny too. I just hope Newcastle's players are equally as ruthless as the City striker this weekend.

Stuart Jamieson

We all want characters in football, so I have to be honest and say I loved Haaland's passion after that late Man City goal. He was at best daft for throwing the ball off Gabriel's head, and it's not like the Arsenal defender was hurt. Most of football now can't wait for the rematch.

But . . . Haaland's actions were far worse than anything Fabian Schar did to earn a red card against Southampton, and we all knew what was coming the minute Ben Brereton-Diaz fell to the floor. It makes you wonder what would have happened had Gabriel made more of it. So while I don't think Haaland should have been retrospectively punished, let's take a look at some of the laws which enable the situation we saw at St James' on the opening weekend.

Gary Neville

“I think the fact of the matter is as a football player, if I threw the ball at Carra’s head directly in a game I think I would be red-carded. I would accept that would be a red card,” Neville told the It's Called Soccer podcast.

“As much as me and Carra laughed when we saw it because it’s funny. The fact of the matter is it is a red card in football. I think if you purposely throw the ball at someone’s head you’re asking for a red card. I can see why it would be a red card.”

Mark Halsey

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey had his say on the incident earler this week. He told the Sun: "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.

"So he can count himself very lucky that [referee] Michael Oliver didn't see that and VAR didn't pick it up either. It will be interesting to see if the FA take retrospective action over that incident because it could be construed as violent conduct." He added: "He's used the ball as a weapon, not his fist."

Dermot Gallagher

Gallagher analyses the big incidents for Sky Sports every week, and there were few bigger than this one. The former ref said: “Running the risk of another melee aren't you because this is what happens afterward, it's just pulled back to 2-2, tempers are high.

"It was a really tough game to referee there's no doubt about that. He had his hands full form the first minute and that's how it culminated.”

Danny Murphy

"A little bit humble is good," the former Liverpool midfielder told talkSPORT. "I think in terms of on the pitch with other players, having a bit of banter with Gabriel, standing your ground, facing up to people, I don't mind all that. That says he's got a bit about him.

"You don't have to be meek and mild on the pitch. You can be as confident and arrogant as you want if you're delivering."