Erling Haaland was involved in an angry confrontation during Manchester City's Champions League win on Tuesday evening
Erling Haaland was involved in an angry confrontation with Pablo Rosario during Man City's Champions League win over Porto.
Erling Haaland was involved in an angry confrontation with Pablo Rosario during Man City's Champions League win over Porto.(Image: (Photo by Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images))
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Erling Haaland has accused Porto midfielder Pablo Rosario of grabbing his bottom during Manchester City's fiesty Champions League encounter at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night. The pair were involved in a heated confrontation during stoppage time, having already clashed in the tunnel at half-time.
The incident occurred just moments after Haaland had scored his second of the game, to put City 2-0 up against the Portuguese side. The Norwegian striker was brought down by Rosario, sparking another fracas.
Haaland was shown a yellow card for his part in the melee, but the City star claims there had been more to the incident than met the eye.
He told Norway's TV2: "I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he (Rosario) was very eager to stop me from getting it. It was a little interesting, that.
"You'll be seeing a picture where he's grabbing my bottom. It'll be interesting to see that picture."
City are awaiting news on whether UEFA plan to take any action following a series of flashpoints during the game, the most serious of which unfolded as players left the pitch at half-time.
Porto were incensed that City's Marc Guehi escaped a red card after catching Gabri Veiga in the head with his arm as he jumped for a header late in the opening period.
Marc Guehi elbowing a Porto player
Marc Guehi's challenge sparked a huge melee(Image: Amazon)
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An immediate melee ensued as Porto players remonstrated with officials and their opponents, while tensions remained high heading into the break.
Skirmishes continued as players left the field and there were clashes in the tunnel area with security personnel intervening to stop matters escalating further.
Certain footage appeared to capture City captain Ruben Dias positioning his hand on Porto coach Francesco Farioli's chest as they entered the tunnel.
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UEFA will wait for reports from referee Szymon Marciniak and match delegate Stephanie Ford before deciding whether to launch disciplinary proceedings. City could be handed a fine should any further action be taken.
City thoroughly deserved their win but Farioli felt the result might have differed had they been forced to play with 10 men.
He said: "The footage of the foul on Gabri Veiga is very clear and (Josko) Gvardiol should also have been shown a second yellow card. He behaved in an unsporting manner when he was already on a yellow.
"At this level, and playing against 10 men for an entire second half... things could have been different."
Veiga added: "He (Marciniak) is a world-class referee and I respect him, but when an opponent leads with his elbow and then there is blood, there is not much to say. We all make mistakes."