Joe Hart is getting a lot of attention for his opinion on Erling Haaland’s debated goal in the Manchester derby.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart says he “just can’t believe” the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s controversial winning goal against Manchester United.
With about an hour gone at Old Trafford, the linesman raised his flag after Haaland scored from close range at the far post. But moments later, referee Michael Oliver stopped the game so VAR could check the goal. After a long wait, the original call was overturned, and the goal was given.
The Premier League explained that Haaland was actually onside because teammate Patrick Dorgu played the ball, while Enzo Fernandez, who was in an offside position when the ball passed him, didn’t touch it. The Match Centre said, “VAR checked the offside call and decided Haaland was onside, so the goal stands.” They also added that “Fernandez didn’t play the ball, even though he was offside.”
However, some people, including Joe Hart, think Fernandez’s movement distracted the defender Lisandro Martinez, which helped Haaland score from the cross.
Joe Hart, who played 348 games for City over 12 years, shared his thoughts while sitting next to former United players Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov. He said, “Fernandez tried to go for the ball, and that definitely affected the defender. So by the rules, I just can’t believe the people making the decision said Fernandez didn’t impact the play. Anyone who knows football would say he did.”
After the game, United head coach Michael Carrick said he was “shocked” by the explanation for Haaland’s goal. He said, “If that’s how ‘not interfering’ is now seen, it’s really worrying. I don’t understand how all the extra help for referees makes decisions like this. If you throw yourself at the ball near goal and almost touch it, that’s interfering. Plus, the offside line they used was questionable. It’s worrying if this is how the game is being judged.”