Robinson ‘cannot understand’ Erling Haaland controversy at Man City after referee talks held
Paul Robinson has claimed Man City striker Erling Haaland was denied a clear penalty against Brighton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Premier League number one “cannot understand why” the officials did not award a spot-kick at the Etihad.
Haaland was tripped by Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez inside the 18-yard box in the opening stages of City’s 3-1 win on Saturday (22 October).
Referee Craig Pawson did not deem the challenge as worthy of a penalty and VAR official Lee Mason did not adjudge his colleague to have made a clear and obvious error.
Pep Guardiola’s side were awarded a penalty later in the second half when Bernardo Silva was sent to ground by a combination of Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross.
Robinson revealed he asked ex-referee Dermot Gallagher for clarification on the contentious decision.
“If the ball is out of play and somebody is punched in the penalty area it is a penalty,” he told Football Insider.
“It is a really grey area. That is why I asked Dermot Gallagher to clear it up.
“It should still be a penalty. If you kick somebody in the penalty area and the ball is in the stands the referee is going to give a penalty.
“Surely it should have been a penalty. I cannot understand why it was not given. There is every reason why Haaland should have been awarded a penalty.”
In other news, a finance guru has claimed Erling Haaland’s agent is talking rubbish as world-record Man City deal suggested.