Haaland can count himself lucky he’s not facing ban for throwing ball at Gabriel, says ex ref who compares it to PUNCH

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.

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Erling Haaland threw the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head after Manchester City’s equaliser[/caption]

Haaland could yet be punished for the actGetty

Ex-referee Mark Halsey believes there is a decision to be made as to whether Haaland is bannedAFP

Man 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.

However, 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.”

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He 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”.

Another 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.”