Joe Hart's Comments About Haaland's Goal vs Man Utd Are Being Widely Shared

· GiveMeSport

The Man City legend spoke his mind about the controversy.

Manchester City beat fierce rivals Manchester United in controversial circumstances on Sunday afternoon.

City were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford when Phil Foden was given a straight red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, City went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to Erling Haaland's goal on the hour-mark. The goal was allowed to stand despite Enzo Fernandez making an attempt to play the ball despite being stood in an offside position.

Explaining the decision on X, the Premier League Match Centre account wrote: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.

> "The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball."

ProRef (Professional Game Referees), English football's refereeing body, has now admitted that a mistake was made and that the goal should have been ruled out for offside.

Before their statement, Man City legend Joe Hart made his feelings very clear about the decision to allow the goal. The 39-year-old sai d on Premier League Match Productions, per Athlon Sports:

> "Enzo [Fernandez] was making a clear action to go to that ball. You can see in Haaland's face he's not that disappointed when this is given [goal being disallowed at first]… As the ball crosses, he [Enzo] affects [Lisandro] Martinez. Martinez has to deal with Enzo; he has to go to him. He would clear that if he is not there, he doesn't. By the letter of the law, I think that goal is offside."

He added: "The fact that Enzo Fernandez is there and makes an attempt to go for the ball, that affects him [Martinez].

> "So therefore, by the letter of the law... I can't believe, I absolutely cannot believe that all the people that are involved in making this decision and they've come up with that Enzo Fernandez did not impact the play, because anyone involved in football will tell you right there that he did."

Former Man City player Micah Richards also slammed the decision. He said on Sky Sports, per ESPN: "I think it's been a bad day for referees, I think it's been a bad day for VAR.

> I think they got the Phil Foden decision wrong after 23 minutes and they got this decision wrong. How you can say Enzo Fernández is not challenging... Of course he is.

> "I've been in that position as a defender where any slight movement can make the difference between going for the ball or not. Of course it affects him.

> "I just think they got it so wrong, but that doesn't take anything away from City's performance. To go that long with 10 men is just incredible.

> "We talked about fight, we talked about spirit, new manager, first derby, what have you got? They showed exactly what they are."

Both Manchester sides will be in Carabao Cup action in midweek. Man Utd welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford on Wednesday, while Man City face Championship outfit Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium a day later.

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