Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland is one of the brightest rising stars in soccer. The 20-year-old Norwegian has 10 Champions League and 21 Bundesliga goals this season, and all signs are pointing towards a massive transfer deal in the summer.
He’s a big deal. But, uh, referees in major competitions shouldn’t be getting starstruck.
Following Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarterfinal opening leg between Dortmund and Manchester City, the Romanian assistant referee was spotted as he asked Haaland for an autograph right there in the tunnel as both teams were making their way to the dressing rooms.
Haaland signed the notepad, but many fans took notice to the assistant referee’s unprofessionalism.
A referee’s assistant should not be asking a player for autographs after a match in the tunnel as happened with Haaland.
UEFA won’t want to see this surely pic.twitter.com/nA94n3k27W— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 6, 2021
This shouldn’t be happening in the Champions League.
And while some may look at it as a non-issue because the match was over, this isn’t necessarily the last time that assistant referee will work a Dortmund match. Officials can’t be seen as favoring any team or player — even if this assistant ref just wanted an autograph for his kid.
It wouldn’t be tolerated if an NBA official did the same with LeBron.
imagining the discourse on here if like, tony brothers got a lebron autograph after a game lol https://t.co/6M2T4I7ij8
— Robby Kalland (@RKalland) April 6, 2021
So the Romanian officiating crew this Champions League season has now:
• Been accused of racism & removed from PSG-Basaksehir
• Had a horribly-refereed game today in City-Dortmund
• Violated ethical rules and asked Haaland for an autograph today https://t.co/UpIKMbJTkb— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) April 6, 2021
Haaland will wake up tomorrow and discover he’s signed for Universitatea Craiova…. https://t.co/PtbqaFwWuf
— Nigel Adderley (@nadderley) April 6, 2021
Definitely not a good look, but considering how the officiating in this game went it would look a lot worse if the ref was asking for De Bruyne’s autograph 😂 https://t.co/9ibBOrqRkU
— SadFCDFan (@sadfcdfans) April 6, 2021
UEFA’s finest at it again. https://t.co/g2h0uynOKd
— Smudge (@KyloSmudge) April 6, 2021
Have some professional pride and integrity man. This is disgraceful ffs https://t.co/dpxqvF594u
— WavySeal#1 (@isaa__42) April 6, 2021
Manchester City would end up winning, 2-1, and benefited from a controversial foul call that wiped away a first-half Dortmund goal.
