Why did Haaland call Anderson a 'diver'?

Due to a controversial incident in the World Cup quarterfinal when VAR disallowed a Norway goal because Haaland pushed Anderson, with some fans believing Anderson went down too easily.

How did Anderson react to Haaland's jibe?

Anderson said he found it funny and that Haaland is a good guy who helped him settle into his new club.

How much did Manchester City pay for Anderson?

Manchester City paid £116 million to bring Elliot Anderson to the club.

Is there a feud between Haaland and Anderson?

According to both players' statements and media reports, there is no lasting feud between them.

Football

Anderson Fires Back at Haaland: 'It Was Funny, He's a Good Guy'

B.M. · Prije 1 dana | 2 min

New Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson has responded to Erling Haaland's Instagram jibe, where the Norwegian called him a 'diver' following a controversial World Cup incident.

Summary

Haaland called Anderson a 'diver' on Instagram following a controversial World Cup incident.
Anderson reacted calmly, calling Haaland a 'good guy' who helped him settle into his new club.
Tensions stem from the World Cup quarterfinal when VAR disallowed a Norway goal due to Haaland's push on Anderson.
Manchester City paid £116 million for Anderson.

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New Manchester City signing Elliot Anderson (23) has spoken out about a message from teammate Erling Haaland, who called him a "diver" on Instagram. Despite the seemingly tense situation, Anderson insists there is no lasting feud between them, a claim backed by English outlet The Sun.

What Happened on Instagram?

Haaland posted a photo on Instagram with the caption "Back to sunny Manchester!". One fan commented, "Say hi to Anderson for me", to which the Norwegian briefly replied: "The diver?".

Anderson confirmed he saw the post. "Yeah, it got round pretty widely. He was calling me a diver," said the England international. However, instead of anger, Anderson showed understanding. "It was funny. He was really good today and helped me settle in, he was completely honest with me, he's a really good guy," he added.

Root of Tensions: World Cup Quarterfinal

The tension between the two players stems from the World Cup quarterfinal held this summer in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Norway were eliminated after a 2-1 defeat to England.

With the score at 1-1, Torbjørn Heggem scored for Norway, but the goal was disallowed by VAR as officials deemed Haaland had pushed Anderson to the ground.

The incident drew mixed reactions. Some fans believe Anderson went down "softly," while others argue the midfielder initiated contact with Haaland. Haaland himself described the referee's decision as "poor."

A Fresh Start in Manchester

Manchester City paid £116 million to bring Anderson in, hoping to reclaim the Premier League title. Both players appeared at the club's training ground on August 12, 2026, with Anderson publicly addressing the situation a day later.

Despite the controversial World Cup incident, Anderson made it clear that the matter is in the past and that he has a cordial relationship with Haaland.