MANCHESTER UNITED fans say Erling Haaland should be BANNED after his expletive-filled show of affection for team-mate Jack Grealish.
Grealish, 27, was being interviewed by Sky Sports after Manchester City’s title success when Haaland appeared from nowhere to proclaim his love for the winger.
Sky SportsThe Norwegian forward was unable to control his language in the midst of City’s raucous title celebrations.[/caption]
BBCWayne Rooney received a two-game ban for his f-word filled celebration after bagging a hat-trick against West Ham.[/caption]
The Norwegian forward shouted “I f****** love you, you know that” into the ear of his fellow City star.
A flustered Dave Jones was quick to apologise to Sky viewers for Haaland’s bad language.
But some United fans have pointed to a precedent set in the case of former star Wayne Rooney that could see Haaland banned.
The former England striker, 37, was suspended for two games in April 2011 after swearing down the barrel of the camera following his winner in a 4-2 victory over West Ham.
The ban is still a sore point for Manchester United fans as it included 2011’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City.
City’s victory saw them reach the final, where they would go on to secure their first trophy of the Sheikh Mansour era.
Many consider City’s 2011 victory to be a watershed moment in their recent success.
And the implications of Haaland swearing on live TV have not been lost on United fans.
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One fan tweeted: “That’s Haaland banned then. Wayne Rooney missed the FA Cup semi-final for swearing on tv. They won’t have the balls to do it though.”
If Haaland was to receive the same two-match suspension as Rooney did back in 2011, he would miss City’s upcoming Premier League clashes with Brighton and Brentford.
But United fans will be hoping any ban would affect June’s FA Cup final between City and United.
The Cup final on June 3 is about more than just bragging rights and silverware as it presents a direct opportunity for United to stop City emulating their 1999 treble.
As it stands, United are the only English side to ever win a continental treble.
After having their league title confirmed on Saturday, City are two cup final victories away from becoming just the eighth side in European football to win a treble.