Refereeing

ERLING HAALAND is lucky he’s not facing a ban for throwing the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head during Manchester City’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal.That is according to former Premier League referee Mark Halsey who spoke exclusively to SunSport on the latest episode of The Whistleblower.Erling Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head after Manchester City’s equaliserCredit: Sky SportsHaaland could yet be punished for the actCredit: GettyEx-referee Mark Halsey believes there is a decision to be made as to whether Haaland is bannedCredit: AFPMan City salvaged a point in stoppage time after being frustrated by Arsenal’s ten men for almost all of the second half as John Stones scrambled home an equaliser to earn the champions a 2-2 draw.When the ball hit the back of the net, Haaland immediately picked it up and threw it at Gabriel’s head.It came at the end of a fiery encounter – which included both sets of players getting embroiled in an altercation moments later when Haaland dumped Thomas Partey to the ground from the restart.The Norwegian striker, 24, who opened the scoring in the match with his 100th goal for Man City, was not punished for launching the ball at Gabriel.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Halsey has explained he could yet be retrospectively punished for the act if it is deemed to be violent conduct.He said: “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.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe went on to add: “He’s used the ball as a weapon, not his fist.”Halsey believes the outcome will depend upon whether the FA see it as a violent act or merely “petulance”.Arsenal vs Manchester City: Player Ratings BreakdownAnother big decision at the Etihad came when referee Oliver dismissed Leandro Trossard for a second yellow card after he barged into Bernardo Silva and then kicked the ball away.It is Arsenal’s second red card of the season in just five matches after Declan Rice was sent off in similar circumstances against Brighton.And Halsey was in no doubt the correct decision was made on Sunday.He said: “Michael had no choice [but to send off Trossard] once he blows his whistle and gives the free-kick and Trossard kicks the ball in the manner that he does.”He clearly hears the whistle so I don’t think he can have any complaints.” More

HERE SunSport’s whistleblower Mark Halsey picks out the key incidents from Sunday’s fiery Prem clash at the Etihad.From Manchester City star Kyle Walker’s fury at Arsenal’s equaliser to that disputed dismissal of Gunners ace Leandro Trossard, our former man in black gives his assessment on the 2-2 epic.Rodri was left flattened at the start of the game by Kai HavertzCredit: Sky SportsMark Halsey reckons Michael Oliver was correct to not punish HavertzCredit: ReutersHAVERTZ & RODRIThe tone was set after just eight seconds when Kai Havertz ran into Rodri and the City midfielder fell to the ground holding his face.But Havertz did nothing wrong as he is absolutely entitled to run into space.In fact, you could argue that Rodri was the one fortunate to escape without a booking.He was trying to get Havertz sent off — and you never want to see that.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKyle Walker was right to feel aggrieved over Arsenal’s equaliserCredit: Sky SportsWALKER REACTION TO ARSENAL EQUALISERKyle Walker had every right to feel aggrieved over Riccardo Calafiori’s 22nd-minute goal.Ref Michael Oliver called the City captain over for a chat after the Gunners had been awarded a free-kick, which is fine.But the issue is he allowed Thomas Partey to take the set-piece quickly and, with Walker out of position, Arsenal ended up scoring.Walker was rightly furious. When a referee calls a player over, he must allow him to get back into position. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOliver should have restarted the game once Walker had returned to his right-back spot. The goal came because Walker was out of position and Gabriel Martinelli exploited the space before teeing up Calafiori.Furious Pep Guardiola lashes out and kicks chair with Man City stars fuming at Arsenal’s stunning equaliserThe decision to send off Leandro Trossard was correctCredit: RexTROSSARD SEEING REDLeandro Trossard was deservedly sent off as he kicked the ball 50 yards away after conceding a free-kick and therefore delayed the restart.The Belgian has clearly learnt nothing from team-mate Declan Rice being sent off for the same thing against Brighton last month.Neither Trossard or Gunners boss Mikel Arteta can have any  complaints.But all we want is consistency and City’s Jeremy Doku did exactly the same thing earlier in the game and went unpunished. He also kicked the ball away and was not booked.Jurrien Timber was correctly treated for an injury late onCredit: GettyARSENAL PHYSIOProtocols mean a physio or doctor can only enter the field of play to give a player treatment when given the green light by the referee.Arsenal’s physio ran onto the pitch to treat Jurrien Timber and would have been cautioned had Oliver not given him permission.  READ MORE SUN STORIESSo he did nothing wrong there.Given the intensity of the game and with what is at stake, on the whole I thought Michael Oliver performed well.Arsenal ratings vs Man CityTEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.Here’s how the players rated…DAVID RAYA – 9Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol. RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.GABRIEL – 9Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.WILLIAM SALIBA – 8Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.JURRIEN TIMBER – 8Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.DECLAN RICE – 7Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.  KAI HAVERTZ – 7Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.SUBSWHITE – 7(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.KIWIOR – 6(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.JESUS – 6(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutesLEWIS SKELLY – 6(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.Click here to read more on Arsenal. More

ANTHONY TAYLOR is caught in a new refereeing rumpus involving Nottingham Forest after a heated draw at Brighton that saw THREE red cards.The official  had been taken off Prem duty this weekend due to online abuse after issuing a record 14 yellow cards in Chelsea’s win at Bournemouth.Anthony Taylor is caught in a new refereeing rumpus involving Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyAnd he was already in Forest’s bad books after rejecting THREE penalty claims during a defeat at Everton in April.But as fourth official at the Amex, Taylor oversaw a moment in the 83rd minute that saw Morgan Gibbs-White and managers Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo all sent off. It started after Gibbs-White — already on a yellow — caught Joao Pedro with a late challenge.Ref Robert Jones initially said he got the ball — but then gave the Forest star his marching orders following apparent contact with  Taylor.READ MORE IN football Hurzeler also saw red for encroachment while Espirito Santo followed for foul language.Forest assistant Rui Pedro Silva said: “It was a strong but fair tackle. I didn’t see anything that justified a second yellow.”He added: “If he (Jones) makes that sign to show the ball, maybe go through with his decision. But I didn’t see the image.Official stance By Mark HalseyWHEN Morgan Gibbs-White went to ground on Joao Pedro already on a yellow card, I thought he could be in big  trouble.Rob Jones clearly signalled for a throw in to Brighton and then made a gesture that Gibbs-White had clearly won the ball.Therefore, fourth official Anthony Taylor should simply not have got involved.Taylor has refereed that second-half incident. Had he not made the signal for a throw and that he won the ball, then Taylor could have helped Jones.And that incident sparked the managers and saw things boil over on the touchline.Ultimately, the officials caused Fabian Hurzeler and Nuno Espirito Santo to be sent off for their reactions to the decision.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I think the referee on the pitch is the main decision (maker) of the game so if he sees that he should stick with his decision.Most read in Football“I think the referees took their time to chat, to have a conversation about that situation, and they make the final decision to show a second yellow card to Morgan.“Anthony has a point of view, Rob probably another point of view, the linesmen another point of view.”Watch astonishing phantom goal as furious fans call for ‘entire refereeing team to be arrested’ More

THIS is the hilarious moment a Premier League ref greeted a BALL ahead of a match.Fans hailed it as the “highlight of the weekend” as official Sam Allison said “hello there” as he picked up the matchball for Southampton vs Ipswich.Ref Sam Allison had fans in stitches as he greeted the ball before a gameThe clash between the newly-promoted side finished 1-1 on the south coast.Tyler Dibling bagged his first Saints goal just five minutes into the game.But Ipswich fought back and rescued a point with a 95th minute Sam Morsy equaliser.However, the star of the show was undoubtedly Allison.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe hit headlines last year after becoming the first Black Premier League ref in 15 years.Allison impressed as he took charge of Luton Town’s thrilling 3-2 win over Sheffield United.And the official looked to be loving life as he came out at St Mary’s on Saturday.Leading the two sides to the pitch, Allison approached the ball as it sat on the Premier League-branded plinth.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd before he scooped it up, Allison looked lovingly at the spherical piece of leather before saying: “Hello there!”The hilarious moment was caught on camera too, leading fans to hail Allison’s actions on social media.Watch astonishing phantom goal as furious fans call for ‘entire refereeing team to be arrested’One said: “The highlight of yesterday’s football. This ref saying ‘hello there’ to the ball.”Another declared: “Sam Allison, representing my home town Melksham. He’s a top bloke and the town is so proud of him.”One noted: “Love this a lot.”Another added: “Refs adding a personal touch to their style adds to the entertainment.” More