Sky Sports were forced to step in and remind Erling Haaland of his language after the Manchester City forward swore during his post-match interview on Sunday.
Haaland was the man of the moment at the Etihad after he netted the winner for his City side in a crunch game against Arsenal, with the Norwegian and Co beating their title rivals 2-1.
It meant Pep Guardiola’s men moved to within three points of the Gunners with a game in hand, with the title race expected to go down to the wire.
But it wasn’t just on the pitch that Haaland caught the eye. As he has done before, Haaland used expletive language in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, causing reporter Patrick Davison to step in.
Speaking with City captain Bernardo Silva, Haaland said of his team-mate: ‘I remember that cross, I told him after when he headed it out, I told him you were like ‘f***ing Cannavaro.’
Davison quickly reminded him he could not swear, with Haaland responding: ‘Come on, we are all swearing a little bit in our lives.’ Presenter Dave Jones also apologised to viewers after the interview.
It’s not the first time he has been caught swearing on live TV. He was warned after exclaiming: ‘S*** happens’ after City’s win over Leicester in 2024, while he swore twice after his debut against West Ham and also when City won the league in 2023.
Broadcast regulators Ocfom state ‘the most offensive language’ cannot be aired before 9pm.
It was a battling performance overall from the City No9, who was up against old nemesis Gabriel, who he got the better of for his goal.
The two went head-to-head off the ball in the second-half, too, with some suggesting Gabriel was lucky not to be sent off after he pushed his head forward.
Haaland said of the incident: ‘I think it’s always like this. A lot of fighting and these kind of things.
‘Of course, I scored the goal. I won that battle in the decisive moment, the cross was perfect. It was a great goal. In the end, we win.
‘If I fell on the floor there, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, then it would maybe be red card. I’m not sure, I haven’t seen the situation. It is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. For me I don’t know why he comes up to my face.’
