Man City striker Erling Haaland clashed with his Porto counterpart in a feisty Champions League encounter
Erling Haaland has accused Porto midfielder Pablo Rosario of grabbing his bottom during Manchester City’s feisty Champions League clash at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night.
The pair were embroiled in a heated confrontation during stoppage time, having already come to blows in the tunnel at half-time.
The flashpoint came just moments after Haaland had netted his second of the evening to put City 2-0 ahead against the Portuguese outfit. The Norwegian frontman was brought down by Rosario, igniting yet another flare-up.
Haaland was booked for his involvement in the scuffle, but the City striker insists there was more to the incident than initially appeared.
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He told Norway’s TV2: “I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he (Rosario) was very eager to stop me from getting it. It was a little interesting, that.
“You’ll be seeing a picture where he’s grabbing my bottom. It’ll be interesting to see that picture.”
City are now waiting to discover whether UEFA intend to take action following a string of flashpoints throughout the match, the most alarming of which erupted as players made their way off the pitch at the interval.
Porto were furious that City’s Marc Guehi avoided a red card after catching Gabri Veiga in the head with his arm while jumping for a header late in the first half.
A mass confrontation broke out as Porto players rounded on officials and their opponents, with tensions still running high as both sides headed into the dressing rooms.
Tensions persisted as players made their way off the pitch, with clashes breaking out in the tunnel area before security staff stepped in to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.
Footage appeared to show City captain Ruben Dias placing his hand on Porto coach Francesco Farioli’s chest as the two headed into the tunnel.
UEFA will await reports from referee Szymon Marciniak and match delegate Stephanie Ford before determining whether to open disciplinary proceedings. City could face a fine should any further action be pursued.
City were thoroughly deserving winners, though Farioli felt the outcome could have been very different had they been reduced to 10 men.
He said: “The footage of the foul on Gabri Veiga is very clear and (Josko) Gvardiol should also have been shown a second yellow card. He behaved in an unsporting manner when he was already on a yellow.
“At this level, and playing against 10 men for an entire second half… things could have been different.”
Veiga added: “He (Marciniak) is a world-class referee and I respect him, but when an opponent leads with his elbow and then there is blood, there is not much to say. We all make mistakes.”