Man City fined £120,000 by the FA after Pep Guardiola's players surrounded referee Simon Hooper during their 3-3 draw against Tottenham

Manchester City have been fined £120,000 by the Football Association after their players had surrounded referee Simon Hooper during their 3-3 draw against Tottenham. 

The official had made a contentious decision in the 94th minute of the game to call play back after he had initially played advantage. 

With City on the attack, Emerson Royal had appeared to foul Erling Haalaand, with Hooper initially playing advantage. Despite the foul, the Norwegian striker was able to play the ball upfield to Jack Grealish who had broken free and was bearing down on goal.  

Hooper subsequently blew his whistle, pulling play back for a free-kick, ended City's hopes of scoring a potential late winner. 

Several of City's stars, including Haaland were enraged by Hooper's decision, surrounding the referee to vent their fury at him, with the Norwegian appearing to shout at the official. 

The Man City striker had also posted several posts on his social media after the match, venting his frustration at the decision, but was not charged by the governing body for the tweets.  

Today, the Football Association announced that they would be imposing a financial penalty on City, writing in a statement: 'Manchester City FC have been fined £120,000 after their players surrounded a match official at the Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 3 December, an FA statement read.

'Manchester City FC admitted that they failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way during the 94th minute.

'An independent Regulatory Commission imposed this sanction following a hearing.'

It came after the the FA had announced on December 4 that the club would be charged for 'failing to control their players' and that the case would be heard by an independent panel.

After the match, Pep Guardiola had sarcastically hit out at fourth official Anthony Taylor when asked whether he had been given an explanation on the controversial decision. 

The Spanish manager replied: 'No, the master of commander Anthony Taylor knows everything in this business and didn't tell me anything.'

He added: 'When you review the image, the referee whistles after saying play on and then after pass comes the whistle. This is what I dont understand.' 

More to follow...