Olaleye IDOWU
England legend Ian Wright has hit out at Alf-Inge Haaland, father of Norway’s superstar Erling Haaland’s father, after he suggested that the referee played a crucial role in the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over the Vikings in the quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He reminded Alf-Inge Haaland that his son contributed to Norway’s defeat when he ridiculously pushed a defender before the Vikings’ second goal.
Norway took the lead when Andreas Schjelderup scored in the 36th minute, but Jude Bellingham equalised with a superb finish just before half-time, sending the match into extra time.
Bellingham then scored his second goal following a mistake by Orjan Nyland in the 93rd minute, allowing England to advance to the semi-finals.
However, the match was not without its controversies. Erling Haaland and his teammates argued that the ball hit one of the Spidercam wires in the air before Bellingham’s equalizer.
Also, Torbjorn Heggem’s goal was disallowed in the second half after Haaland appeared to push Elliot Anderson during the build-up.
After the match, Alf-Inge Haaland, who was in attendance at the Miami Stadium, replied to Fabrizio Romano on X, saying, “Well done, Bellingham and referee.”
He then responded to Henry Winter’s tweet praising Bellingham by stating, “Really? Saved by the referee. Hope you win the WC now. But feel we got robbed today.”
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright slammed Haaland, saying, “Is that sour grapes from Alf-Inge Haaland, saying well done to Bellingham and the referee? I think that was just a bit of a low blow from him.”
“He can’t surely be referring to that because that was just a ridiculous push [from Haaland]. In that particular moment, he’s like six or seven inches taller. Why does he need to be that aggressive with him? It’s a massive foul. You can’t be talking like that.”
