Man City blunder ref Simon Hooper, who whistled to stop Jack Grealish when he was through on goal, WON’T be taken off Liverpool’s match this week – despite Erling Haaland’s fury
- Simon Hooper will referee Sheff Utd’s game against Liverpool on Wednesday
- He will not be hooked for his error in Manchester City’s clash with Tottenham
- Manchester United in a mess – they have a collapse in them – It’s All Kicking Off
Simon Hooper will remain referee for Sheffield United versus Liverpool on Wednesday night, with the 41-year-old avoiding being sidelined for his late error which enraged Manchester City.
PGMOL insiders say there will be no change to the midweek refereeing rota, though it is being acknowledged privately that Hooper made a mistake in not playing advantage when Erling Haaland set up Jack Grealish late in Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham.
Though City were left furious by the failure to let Grealish run through on goal – and Hooper faced significant abuse on social media in the aftermath, including threats against his family – the consensus is human errors can happen in the heat of the moment.
Footballing figures such as Mail Sport columnist Chris Sutton have likewise pointed out that Hooper was not the only one who made a mistake in Sunday’s scintillating Premier League clash.
Haaland led the protests against Hooper on the pitch for killing the promising attack, though some of his fury may have stemmed from his own frustration at not taking his chances.
Simon Hooper (left) will remain referee for Sheffield United vs Liverpool on Wednesday
Hooper denied City a goal-scoring opportunity by blowing his whistle on Sunday night
City striker Erling Haaland (left) was tripped by Tottenham’s’ Emerson Royal and Hooper (right) looks as though he was about to blow for a foul
Hooper raised his arm and looked to play advantage with Haaland releasing Jack Grealish (left)
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Sutton wrote in his Monday column: ‘Simon Hooper made a mistake, a big one, but then plenty of players made mistakes in this 3-3 thriller, arguably bigger ones.
‘That includes Erling Haaland, who missed an open goal and yet was screaming in Hooper’s face as if he alone had stopped Manchester City from winning.’
Hooper was stood down earlier this season after failing to award a penalty to Wolves in their 1-0 loss to Manchester United for a stoppage-time challenge by Andre Onana on Sasa Kalajdzic.
Grealish picked up the ball and looked to drive forwards but Hooper blew his whistle
Grealish (left) was clean through, albeit with three Spurs players furiously backtracking
Haaland was furious and confront Hooper – appearing to scream ‘F*** off! F*** off!’ at him
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
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