“Completely Against Everything They’re Doing” – Mark Hughes Slams Simon Hooper’s ‘Bizarre’ Decision Against Pep Guardiola & Co.

Sunday’s clash between Manchester City and Tottenham continues to make strides in the soccer world. Aside from the emphatic 3-3 score line, it was referee Simon Hooper’s controversial play in the final minutes that many can’t stop discussing. With discussions swirling around the dissension, former Premier League manager Mark Hughes has added his voice to the chorus, slamming Hooper’s decision and demanding clarification.

Additionally, Hooper also garnered a foul-mouth rant from City star Erling Haaland. While Pep Guardiola took the Norwegian superstar’s side, Haaland’s action came at the cost of being charged by the FA. 

Mark Hughes wants Simon Hooper to explain his decision

Simon Hooper became a topic of discussion in the latest episode of ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’, courtesy of Sam Allardyce and Natalie Pike. The guest on the podcast, Mark Hughes, was asked to give his views on Hooper’s decision in the dying moments of the game, which cost Manchester City two extra points.

Interestingly, he said, “It was a bit bizarre I have to say. I think the reality is if the referee says play on, you play on and it goes to a conclusion. But then he decides don’t play on, so that anomaly, I just don’t understand how we came to that thought process.” Additionally, Hughes asked if Hooper was waiting for the assistant linesman to put his flag up.

“I have no idea, really a strange decision. You saw from the reaction of the city players that they couldn’t believe it either, and it’s a huge moment in the game, so it needs clarification,” added the Welsh coach as Big Sam also agreed to Hughes’s words.

Certainly, these words of Hughes must have reached Hooper’s ears. Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, City star Bernardo Silva backed Hooper’s decision.

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Bernardo Silva came in support of Simon Hooper

Despite facing criticism for his decision, Simon Hooper received support from Manchester City star Bernardo Silva. Following the match, Silva expressed, “It’s a bad decision [by Simon Hooper] and everyone saw it. In the end, we’re all human.” The Portuguese playmaker claimed the referee was the first one to know it wasn’t a good call, as City would have gone home with three points.

While acknowledging the difficulty of coming to terms with the loss, Silva acknowledged the certainty of mistakes in the game. “It’s football, man, it’s football!” he concluded. Indeed, it’s quite an unexpected backing from Silva for Hooper.

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