​Erling Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, voiced his criticism of the refereeing after England edged Norway 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, July 11. The match, which pitted the two nations in a high-stakes knockout clash, saw Norway take the lead in the 36th minute thanks to a strike from Andreas Schjelderup. England responded with a late first-half equalizer, when Jude Bellingham found the net. The equalizer itself sparked controversy, as a goal kick appeared to strike a camera cable high above the pitch, possibly providing just enough deflection to alter the ball’s trajectory and possession. Despite Norway’s protests, FIFA issued a statement asserting that the sensor in the connected ball showed no peak in the “heartbeat of the ball” while in the air, and therefore there was no evidence that the ball touched the overhead wire or changed its movement.
As the game unfolded, another pivotal moment went against Norway in the second half. A would-be go-ahead goal from Torbjørn Heggem was ruled out after a VAR review determined a foul on Haaland. The decision effectively nullified what appeared to be a decisive score for Norway, complicating their efforts to advance. England eventually claimed victory in extra time, with Bellingham slotting home the winner and sending England into the semifinals while ending Norway’s campaign.
The post-match discourse included remarks from the football world about the officiating. Notably, renowned soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote a positive note about Bellingham and the referee on X after the game. Alf-Inge Haaland responded to Romano’s praise with a brief, resonant message: “Well done Bellingham and referee.” The elder Haaland has his own storied history in football, having played for clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City during his professional career. In addition to his club exploits, he earned 34 caps for the Norway national team and participated in the 1994 World Cup, a reminder of the family’s deep ties to the sport at the highest levels.
This piece originally appeared on USA TODAY, highlighting Alf-Inge Haaland’s reaction to the referee’s decisions following Norway’s defeat by England in the World Cup quarterfinals. The narrative surrounding this match underscores the intense scrutiny referees face in decisive knockout fixtures, where every call can swing momentum and alter a team’s fate in the competition. The Haalands’ involvement in this match—through Erling’s continued ascent as one of the game’s premier talents and Alf-Inge’s own celebrated career—adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about officiating, fairness, and the pressures of top-tier international football.