Alfie Haaland, 53, a former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Manchester City footballer, did not stay silent. 😤 His son Erling and Norway were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the quarterfinals after losing 2-1 to England in extra time, with a Jude Bellingham brace that came in the 93rd minute.
Alfie’s anger was not only over the defeat. It was over two decisions by French referee Clément Turpin: a possible touch of the ball against an overhead cable before England’s first goal, and a Norway goal disallowed for an infringement by Erling on Elliot Anderson. FIFA explained that the Trionda ball sensor did not detect contact with the wiring, but the anger had already set in.
“Seriously? Saved by the referee. I hope they win the World Cup now. But I feel like we were robbed today”, he wrote on X, replying to an English journalist. Not even the Norway coach himself, Ståle Solbakken, fully agreed with him. 🇳🇴⚽