Manchester United fans have called for Erling Haaland to be banned after swearing in Man City’s Premier League title celebrations on Sunday,
The Cityzens secured the title after Arsenal lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and lifted the trophy for the fifth time in six years after beating Chelsea a day later.
Jack Grealish was interviewed on Sky after the win, at which point Haaland came over to tell him ‘I f***ing love you’, much to the midfielder’s amusement.
Dave Jones quickly apologised for the incident, while Micah Richards, who was once in hot water himself for swearing in an interview, said ‘woah, woah, woah’ as the record-breaking striker walked away.
While most laughed off the incident, some United fans have called for Haaland to be punished in the same way Wayne Rooney was for a similar incident in 2011.
Manchester City celebrated their fifth Premier League title in six years on Sunday
Jack Grealish’s team-mate Erling Haaland stole the show during his post-match interview as the striker yelled ‘I f***ing love you, you know that?’ – with Grealish erupting with laughter
After scoring a late penalty that completed his hat-trick and put United 3-2 up after trailing 2-0 at half time, the striker swore repeatedly into a nearby camera.
Rooney was banned for two matches for the incident, which meant he missed the Red Devils’ FA Cup semi final against Man City.
United lost the game, and City went on to win their first trophy after Sheikh Mansour’s takeover. Twelve years on, and the tally is up to 15.
Some United fans have called for the same punishment now, with one tweeting that the same rules should ‘surely’ apply for Haaland’s incidents.
Another questioned whether the rule ‘only applied to United players’, although some did feel the Rooney incident was different as he ‘swore in game at the cameras, effectively at the viewers.’
Some have called for a punishment for Haaland after Wayne Rooney was given a two match ban for wearing in 2011
United fans have questioned why the situation should be any different in this case
If Haaland was handed the same two-match ban as Rooney, he would miss City’s final league games against Brighton and Brentford.
With the title already secured, Pep Guardiola would likely be unfazed by losing his striker, who has scored a record-breaking 52 goals this season, as their two biggest games come after the trip to West London.
If City win the FA Cup and Champions League finals, they will emulate Alex Fergsuon’s United team of 1999 in winning the three biggest trophies in English football.
They will face their Manchester rivals at Wembley to decide the FA Cup on June 3, while the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Instanbul.
