The English Football Association (FA) has decided not to impose retrospective punishment on Manchester City’s Erling Haaland for bouncing the ball off Gabriel’s head after their late goal against Arsenal.
Erling Haaland was involved in the said action in the 98th minute after John Stones scored a dramatic equalizer for City in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Before the dramatic end to the game, Haaland had opened the scoring. Afterwards, Riccardo Calafiori scored the equalizer, and Gabriel gave Arsenal the lead.
Towards the end of the first half, Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away before late heartache was inflicted by Stones.
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After Stones scored, Haaland picked up the ball and threw it against the head of Gabriel, who could not see what was happening as he had his shirt over his face.
No action was taken at the time, and the FA has now ruled that VAR had reviewed the incident already without finding it offensive.
While the FA disciplinary team reviews each contentious incident in all games every weekend, it is believed that there was no single incident on the field or on the touchline in the City vs. Arsenal match that warrants further FA action, according to Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, following the game, a video emerged on social media, where Erling Haaland slapped Arteta on the back and told him to “stay humble, eh, stay humble”.
Arteta turned around to face Haaland after hearing the comment and stared at the Norwegian striker but then walked away.