VAR reviewed Erling Haaland throwing the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes for a potential red card, but decided against further action.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Erling Haaland of Manchester City speaks to Gabriel of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Erling Haaland of Manchester City speaks to Gabriel of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Following Manchester City’s late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, Erling Haaland raced over to the ball to pick it up, while most of his team were running back to their own half.

You might have mistakenly expected that Haaland was trying to speed up the restart by getting the ball back on the centre spot, but instead, he threw it at Gabriel Magalhaes.

The City striker had clearly lost his head, and he ended up wasting the final minute of additional time by starting a fight with a foul on Thomas Partey.

While most of his team wanted a late winner, Haaland was running around like a headless chicken desperately seeking revenge for some perceived slight against him.

Erling Haaland throws the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes during Arsenal's match against Manchester City (Image via Arsenal.com)
Erling Haaland throws the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes during Arsenal’s match against Manchester City (Image via Arsenal.com)

Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail reports that VAR did review Haaland’s ball chuck at Gabriel at the time, but they deemed no further action was necessary.

As a result, the striker won’t face any retrospective action for the incident, as it was seen by the officials.

It would have been hard for VAR to intervene, as the throw wasn’t really worthy of a red card. If the referee had seen it, you’d expect him to give a yellow, but VAR can’t step in to advise a booking.

manchester city fc v arsenal fc premier league 6
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal embraces with Erling Haaland of Manchester City following the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The incident was one of a number that Haaland could have seen a yellow for, including that foul on Partey and an earlier challenge on William Saliba.

In the end, the striker left the field without any punishment, and none will be provided after the fact.