New angle of referee Simon Hooper’s controversial call during Man City vs Spurs shows exactly what happened

A new angle of the controversial incident involving Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and referee Simon Hooper has emerged.

On Sunday evening, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur played out a scintillating 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Spurs captain Son Heung Min scored in both nets within two minutes as the match got off to a frantic start.

City eventually led 2-1 thanks to Phil Foden in the 31st minute before Giovani Lo Celso dragged Spurs level with 69 minutes on the clock.

Substitute Grealish made it 3-2 inside the last 10 minutes but Dejan Kulusevski rescued a point for Spurs with a goal in the 90th minute.

During stoppage time, there was a hugely controversial call as Haaland looked like he was fouled but stayed on his feet to play the ball towards Grealish, who was looking likely to get on the end of the through ball.

However, referee Hooper appeared to blow his whistle despite originally waving play on for advantage.

After the match, footage of Hooper making the decision was posted on social media.

Hooper put his whistle to his mouth when Haaland was fouled, but then waved play on as the Norwegian kept the ball.

But then, as Haaland played the ball through towards Grealish, Hooper decided to blow his whistle for the foul.

Watch the referee. This is match fixing pic.twitter.com/8j6VGjAxC7

— 𝐄𝐑 (@ErlingRoIe) December 3, 2023

The decision left City fans and players fuming as Haaland reacted on social media shortly after the final whistle.

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked to comment on the incident but was not keen to discuss in great details.

Speaking about the incident, former City player Micah Richards said on Sky Sports: “The referee had a brilliant game today until this moment. I don't understand it.

“The referee puts the whistle to his mouth, he waves the play on to play advantage. Jack Grealish is clearly onside and Haaland plays the ball through - and then he stops the play, which I don't quite understand.”

He added: “The evidence is there for all to see, he should have let play go on. You can see on the fourth official's face, he knows the referee has made the mistake. How can you explain it?

“He's entitled to make a mistake - but the problem I have with that is how many situations have we seen where play is allowed to go on [so VAR can check it]. If you're in doubt, just leave the play to go on and then you can bring it back.”