Manchester City star Erling Haaland was reported to police after being accused of causing ‘suspected whiplash and concussion’ by the Manchester City mascot ‘Moonbeam’.
A woman playing the alien character went to Salford Royal hospital after City’s 1-0 win over Southampton in October, where Haaland scored the only goal of the game five minutes in.
The university graduate had taken a temporary job with City in June and was paid £100 when working as the mascot on matchdays at the Etihad Stadium.
But earlier in the season prior to the clash with Southampton, according to The Sun, she felt two blows to the back of her head while posing for a picture and initially thought she had been hit by a ball after asking a colleague.
She then realised she had received a playful knock on the head from Haaland, who regularly engages with the City mascots and “does a gentle touch on the back or head” as an act of “recognition.”
Speaking to The Sun, the unnamed woman said: “I was pretty upset and I was crying and my head was thudding and I think I was in shock. I later realised he’d come behind me and hit me on the head and then leaned on my head.”
Though she was told she could go home, she continued to work the remainder of the shift but vomited and suffered neck and head pain and claims she was instructed to go to hospital by the first-team doctor the day after.
Although the hospital confirmed symptoms, a CT scan did not uncover any damage. However, the woman lodged an assault complaint against Haaland and City launched an investigation which included reviewing CCTV footage of the incident.
Erling Haaland was reported to police but no further action was taken. Image: Getty
They concluded that the footage showed the Norwegian only “grazed” the woman and did not cause her injuries.
“Manchester City refute the complaint that was made in this regard,” a City spokesperson said.
“The Club fully investigated and found that none of the evidence, including video footage backed up the claim that an injury was sustained in the manner alleged.
“We’re also aware a complaint was made to Greater Manchester Police and no further action was taken by them either.”
The woman said she believes Haaland would have happily apologised but said the club “just wanted to sweep it under the carpet”.
After returning to a position in the ticket office, the woman had to do reapply for her job and was required to participate in a half-day interview in order for her employment to continue.
But she was not successful, with the club feeling as though she had not performed up to standard in the interview.
Haaland has scored 29 goals in all competitions for City this season, taking his overall tally to 119 in 137 appearances.
SPORTbible has reached out to Manchester City and Erling Haaland’s representatives for comment.
