Alf-Inge Haaland, father of Norway star Erling Haaland, has sparked widespread debate after criticizing the officiating following Norway’s dramatic World Cup quarterfinal defeat to England, insisting his country was “robbed” of a place in the semifinals.
His comments came after a controversial refereeing decision overshadowed one of the tournament’s most intense knockout matches.
Disallowed Goal Fuels Controversy
The turning point came when Norway appeared to take a 2-1 lead through Torbjørn Heggem, only for the goal to be ruled out after the referee penalized Erling Haaland for a foul on Elliot Anderson during a corner kick.
The decision immediately drew protests from Norwegian players and supporters, with many believing the goal should have stood.
“The Referee Saved England”
Reacting on X, Alf-Inge Haaland did not hide his frustration, writing:
“The referee saved them. I hope you go on to win the World Cup now, but I feel we were robbed today.”
In another post following Jude Bellingham’s decisive goal, he sarcastically wrote:
“Well done, Bellingham… and well done, referee.”
His remarks quickly gained traction across social media, fueling renewed debate over officiating standards during the tournament.
VAR Drama and Emotional Reactions
Television cameras also captured Haaland’s father reacting passionately from the stands during another controversial moment involving England’s penalty appeal, which was eventually overturned after a VAR review.
Although Norway’s World Cup journey came to an end, the controversy surrounding the refereeing decisions continues to dominate post-match discussions, with many fans and pundits questioning whether the officials played too significant a role in deciding the outcome of one of the tournament’s biggest matches.
