Erling Haaland calls for 'annoying' football law to be immediately changed

07 February 2024 , 16:24

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Erling Haaland complains during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester City (Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside)

Erling Haaland gets annoyed by throw-ins and would change the laws around them if given the chance.

The Norwegian striker believes current rules have too many restrictions and that players should be able to throw it how they like, providing they have two hands on the ball. The Man City star does believe, however, there should be restrictions on how far a player can travel with the ball.

Haaland was asked by the Man City podcast which aspects of football's rules he would be inclined to alter. The 23-year-old has showed little issue playing within the current parameters, having racked up 71 goals in 76 Man City appearances on his way to a treble with the club.

That does not mean that Haaland has not picked up frustrations along the way. Perhaps City being judged to have committed a foul throw against Luton Town in December prompted the inspiration.

"What annoys me is the throw-ins," he said on . "If you throw like this or this or whatever, it doesn't matter. Just have two hands on the ball and throw the ball. I don't know the rules even, but if you throw down or up it doesn't matter!

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"I'd change that - just have two hands on the ball. We will see what happens in the future but you need a certain time limit to take throw-ins and you cannot take too many metres - just give a mark and you can only go there."

Haaland made his first start in the Premier League for more than eight weeks against Brentford. He has yet to score since recovering from a foot injury but provided an assist in City's win over the Bees.

Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland (Catherine Ivill)

There is regular speculation over where Haaland's next club could be, with Pep Guardiola hoping that his charge is happy to stay. He said: "We want him [to stay] for a long time. We’re in love with him".

Guardiola added: “It is always about the desire of the player and the club. He arrived last season. His impact was incredible at the beginning of [this] season, then he had two months injured. What happens in the future, honestly I don’t know. We are happy to have him. Hopefully, he is happy to be with us.

“You have to ignore it [media speculation]. If someone wants Erling, it’s easy — phone, call and ask. That is what we do to sign someone. It’s not complicated.”

Scott Trotter