Haaland Faces Police: Mascot Incident at Man City - Hesgoal

Erling Haaland Under Police Scrutiny After Mascot Injury Claim

Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland found himself in hot water after reports emerged that he was reported to the police. The reason? An accusation from the Manchester City mascot, affectionately known as ‘Moonbeam’, who alleged that Haaland’s actions caused ‘suspected whiplash and concussion’.

The individual portraying the Moonbeam character, a woman who recently graduated from university, sought medical attention at Salford Royal Hospital following Manchester City’s narrow 1-0 victory against Southampton in October. Haaland, as fate would have it, scored the decisive goal just five minutes into the match.

This temporary role with City, which began in June, saw the woman earn £100 per match day for bringing Moonbeam to life at the Etihad Stadium. However, an incident earlier in the season, before the Southampton game, became the center of this unusual complaint.

According to reports, while posing for photographs, the woman felt two sudden impacts to the back of her head. Initially, she believed she had been struck by a stray football, inquiring with a colleague about a possible ball.

She soon realised the blows were not accidental. Instead, they were playful taps from Erling Haaland, known for his lighthearted interactions with the club mascots involving gentle touches to the back of the head as a form of acknowledgement.

Speaking to the media, the unnamed woman recounted her experience: “I was really upset, and I started crying. My head was throbbing, and I think I was in shock at the time. Later, I realised he had come up behind me, hit me on the head, and then even leaned on my head.”

Despite feeling unwell, she completed her shift after initially being advised to go home. The following day, however, she reportedly vomited and experienced persistent neck and head pain. It was then that the club’s first-team doctor instructed her to seek hospital evaluation.

Hospital examinations confirmed her symptoms, but a CT scan revealed no structural damage. Nevertheless, the woman proceeded to file a formal assault complaint against Haaland. In response, Manchester City launched an internal investigation, which included reviewing CCTV footage of the alleged incident.

Investigation and Aftermath: Manchester City and Police Respond

Following their investigation, Manchester City concluded that CCTV evidence showed the Norwegian striker only “grazed” the woman and refuted any claim that his actions caused her injuries.

A spokesperson for Manchester City firmly stated: “Manchester City refute the complaint that was made in this regard. 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.”

Despite the club’s findings, the woman believes Haaland might have apologised if the situation had been handled differently, but feels the club prioritised damage control, aiming to “sweep it under the carpet”.

After transitioning to a ticket office position, her employment took another unexpected turn. To continue working for the club, she was required to re-apply for her role and undergo a half-day interview.

Unfortunately, she was ultimately unsuccessful in securing her position permanently. The club cited her interview performance as not meeting the required standards.

On a brighter note for the football star, Haaland’s on-field performance remains stellar. He has impressively scored 29 goals this season across all competitions for City, bringing his total career goals to 119 in 137 appearances.

SPORTbible has reached out to both Manchester City and Erling Haaland’s representatives for their comments on this matter.

Key Takeaways:

• Erling Haaland faced a police report after being accused of injuring Manchester City mascot ‘Moonbeam’.
• The mascot alleged whiplash and concussion following a playful interaction with Haaland.
• Manchester City launched an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage.
• Both club and police investigations found no evidence to support the injury claim.
• The mascot also lost her job after an unsuccessful interview for a permanent position at the club.

Timeline of Events:

1. October: Incident occurred prior to Manchester City vs. Southampton match.
2. Post-Match: Mascot sought hospital treatment after the game.
3. Complaint Filed: Assault complaint lodged against Erling Haaland.
4. Club Investigation: Manchester City reviewed CCTV and conducted an internal probe.
5. Police Involvement: Greater Manchester Police were notified and assessed the situation.
6. No Further Action: Both club and police concluded no evidence supported the injury claim, and no further action was taken.
7. Job Reapplication: Mascot reapplied for her job in the ticket office and had an interview.
8. Unsuccessful Interview: Mascot was not offered a permanent position.

Table Summary:

What do you think about this unusual incident? Was it a playful interaction gone wrong, or a genuine cause for concern? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!