What started as a seemingly harmless moment between Erling Haaland and Manchester City’s beloved mascot, Moonbeam, has turned into a controversy, with the woman inside the costume claiming she suffered injuries from the encounter.
According to reports, the 6ft 4in striker playfully tapped the back of her head twice before a match against Southampton in October.
What may have been intended as a lighthearted gesture allegedly left the woman feeling unwell, leading to claims of “suspected whiplash and concussion.”
Woman Claims She Felt Immediate Pain
The woman, who worked as a temporary employee at City since June, recounted the incident in an interview with The Sun.
She explained that she initially posed for a photo with Haaland before feeling two unexpected blows to her head.
Dazed and confused, she turned to a colleague and asked what had just happened.
She later reported experiencing severe discomfort, including nausea, headaches, and neck pain.
She claimed that after vomiting and feeling persistent pain, she was examined by City’s first-team doctor, who advised her to seek further medical attention at a hospital.
Investigation Cleared Haaland, But Questions Remain
Following the incident, Manchester City’s health and safety team launched an internal investigation, reviewing CCTV footage to determine what had happened.
The club’s report concluded that Haaland’s actions were not responsible for any injury, citing that he regularly gives a light tap to Moonbeam as a sign of acknowledgment.
Despite this, the woman believed her concerns were dismissed.
She stated that when she reported the issue to City’s safeguarding chief, she was met with laughter and a remark about being able to say, “Erling Haaland hit you.”
Employment Controversy Adds to the Dispute
Beyond the alleged injury, the woman also raised concerns about how her employment status changed following the incident.
She was asked to reapply for her contract as part of standard renewal procedures.
However, after an interview process, she was informed that she had not been successful in securing her role again.
“I never had any complaints from my managers before,” she shared.
“But they told me they didn’t feel I had performed at 100% in the interview.”
Club and Police Response
Manchester City has stood firm in their stance that Haaland’s actions did not cause any harm.
A spokesperson for the club stated, “We 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.”
Additionally, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a complaint had been made but that no further action was taken.
While Haaland himself has not publicly commented on the situation, the incident has sparked debate online about workplace safety, sportsmanship, and the responsibilities of high-profile athletes in public interactions.
The story continues to stir discussions among fans and critics alike, leaving many divided over whether this was an innocent misunderstanding or a situation mishandled by the club.