Manchester City has dismissed allegations involving star striker Erling Haaland, who has been accused of causing an injury to the club’s mascot. A woman in the mascot costume claimed that Haaland accidentally struck her on the head while posing for a photo ahead of a Premier League match against Southampton in October. Initially, she thought she had been hit by a wayward football, only to later realise it was Haaland who had caused the blow.
In a recent interview, the woman described her shock and distress, stating she was left with neck and head pain, leading her to vomit. After the incident, she was assessed by the club’s first-team doctor and advised to seek further medical attention at Salford Royal, where a CT scan ultimately cleared her of any significant injuries.
The woman expressed her frustration, detailing how she had alerted the club’s safeguarding officer about the incident but felt dismissed, as her concerns were reportedly met with laughter. She believed that Haaland would have apologised if appropriate action had been taken, but instead, she felt disregarded in favour of protecting the player from distraction.
Following the incident, she lodged a formal complaint with the Manchester police. However, after reviewing CCTV footage and conducting an investigation, the club found no evidence of misconduct, stating that the contact was merely a “gentle touch.” Consequently, they affirmed that none of the evidence supported the claim of injury as alleged.
In an unfortunate turn, the woman’s contract as the mascot, known as ‘Moonbeam’, was not renewed after the incident. Although she was instructed to reapply for the role, the outcome of her interview in December led to the club informing her that she was unsuccessful.
The situation has garnered varying reactions from the public and fans, with ongoing discussions surrounding the responsibilities and protections in place for performers working in such roles at sports events.