A Romanian assistant referee was caught on camera asking for Erling Haaland’s signature on his yellow card.
Haaland failed to get on the score sheet, as Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Television footage then showed one of the Romanian officials approaching Haaland in the tunnel after the game to get him to sign his yellow card.
The 20-year-old Haaland is the most sought after talent in the European game and has been linked with a move to City and their local rivals Manchester United as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
It is not normal protocol for match officials to ask players for autographs after games, and UEFA could respond, but City boss Pep Guardiola had no problem with the referee’s request.
Guardiola said: “They told me. Maybe he’s a fan. Why not? The referees were brilliant, the game was not a problem. The VAR told me it was not a penalty and [Jude] Bellingham, the leg is higher than expected. Yeah, the referees were perfect.”
