Man City fined by FA for failing to control players post match

Man City have been charged by the FA for their players’ post match reaction against Spurs. Erling Haaland has not been charged.  

The English Football Association has decided to charge Manchester City for failing to control its players following the club’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Tottenham over the weekend.  
 
Erling Haaland was not charged by the FA. The Norwegian striker screamed in referee Simon Hooper’s face and questioned the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter. Pep Guardiola refused to be drawn into any criticism of the referee.  
 
Barring some major U-turn by the FA, Man City will be fined as a result of this charge. Man City have until Thursday 7 December 2023 to respond to the charge.  

The ending to Manchester City’s 3-3 draw to Tottenham was about as chaotic an ending you will ever see in the Premier League. In the dying minutes of the match referee Simon Hooper seemed to play advantage following a Spurs foul on Erling Haaland. He then blew his whistle to stop play just as it seemed Jack Grealish was clear on goal.  
 
Following the Manchester City vs. Tottenham match, several Man City players crowded the referee. Star striker Erling Haaland was seen screaming in the referee’s face.  
 
The FA has charged Man City for failing to control its players after the match. The club has until Thursday 7 December to respond to the FA charge with reasons why they should not be fined.  

Players avoid charges

The FA has informed Man City that no players or coaches will be charged for their actions after the match. Some Premier League fans have voiced their opposition to this. Notably, Brighton fans wonder how Erling Haaland avoided a card or post-match punishment when their captain Lewis Dunk received a straight red for dissent in the Seagull’s match against Nottingham Forest two weeks ago.  
 
It is especially surprising Haaland avoided a FA charge considering that he kept the pressure on Hooper after the match. City’s talisman responded to a video of the controversial play on X saying “Wtf.”  
 
Haaland was not the only player who avoided charges Rúben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, and numerous other city players were also guilty of crowding referee Hooper and shouting in his face.  

FA under fire for refereeing decisions

Simon Hooper’s decision at the end of Manchester City vs. Tottenham is just one of many controversial, high-profile refereeing decisions we have seen this year.  
 
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been on the wrong end of controversial decisions this year, which could prove to be crucial considering how tight the Premier League title race is this season.  

According to the betting sites, Man City are still favourites to win the Premier League. They are three points behind Arsenal heading into EPL Matchweek 15. If they can’t close the gap over the rest of the year, they will surely look back on this draw as one of the turning points of the season.