ERLING HAALAND has lashed out at the referee who officiated France’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.
Les Bleus ran out 2-0 winners in their clash with the North African side on Thursday evening.
Referee Facundo Tello is under fire for his handling of Mbappe’s penalty Credit: Alamy
Haaland complained about the delay on his Snapchat account
But the match was not without its controversy, after Manchester United star Noussair Mazraoui dived in on Kylian Mbappe in the Morocco penalty box.
Referee Facundo Tello, one fifth of an all-Argentine officiating team, immediately pointed to the spot to award the favourites a penalty kick.
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But he would then prevent Mbappe from taking it during a lengthy VAR check that somehow lasted more than three minutes, despite the apparently obvious nature of the foul.
The extended break appeared to rattle Mbappe, whose awful penalty was easily saved by Morocco stopper Bounou when he was finally allowed to take it.
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Many fans and pundits sympathised with the forward, including his rival Haaland.
The great Norwegian forward questioned the officiating in a post to his Snapchat, which has taken off like wildfire in recent months due to his eccentric posting.
He captioned a picture of his TV screen showing the game with the slightly exaggerated gripe: “Need to wait 5 min to take a penalty is way too long.”
He was far from the only big name in football to slam the decision.
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The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and Portugal have all been knocked out.
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The normally ruthless Roy Keane admitted he thought the delay was disruptive, saying: “Listen it is unfair.
“Over three minutes… I know these are world-class players but it is unfair because it is a pressure situation.
“Why does he have to wait three minutes? Time is the enemy for a striker when you’re waiting.
“You’re giving the advantage back to the goalkeeper and the team who’ve conceded the penalty, so it’s not right.”
His colleague Ian Wright agreed with the Manchester United legend’s assessment.
He added: “It probably does put you off. The longer you have to wait for a penalty the more you doubt what you’re going to do.”
