Erling Haaland looks sheepish as he’s seen for first time since Man City probe into claim he ‘gave club mascot whiplash’
ERLING HAALAND looked sheepish as he arrived at Manchester City training after it was revealed he left the club mascot with suspected whiplash and concussion.
SunSport exclusively told how the Norwegian striker twice struck the woman dressed up as furry alien Moonbeam across the head before a game with Southampton.
The lady vomited and struggled with neck pain as she went to hospital, believing she had been hit by a stray football before being told it was Haaland.
Her CT scan revealed no damage but she accused “arrogant” City of sweeping her complaint under the carpet as a “cover-up” to protect Haaland.
City’s probe concluded Haaland did not cause the uni graduate’s injuries.
But on Saturday morning, the two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner kept a low profile on his way into the training ground as he was spotted for the first time since SunSport’s shock revelations.
Haaland drove his outlandish lime green Aston Martin DBX 707 in through the gates of the Etihad Campus.
But he turned his head away from the camera inside the £350,000 motor to avoid having his face snapped.
City face Bournemouth away in their FA Cup quarter-final tomorrow afternoon, hoping to book their place at Wembley.
And Haaland will be keen to get back to scoring goals – and away from the drama surrounding the mascot.
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The woman, who does not want to be named, was posing for photos on October 26 when she felt the two blows to the back of her head, leaving her in shock as she left the pitch.
She 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.”
She told City’s safeguarding boss who allegedly laughed it off, saying: “At least you can say Erling Haaland hit you.”
Following the incident the woman was offered the chance to go home but continued to work the shift.
City’s health and safety head Paul Kenyon launched the internal investigation and told the woman they wanted to look at CCTV.
But the report stated: “Erling Haaland always does a gentle touch on the back or head of Moonbeam as recognition.”
It also described his contact with Moonbeam’s head as “grazing”.
The lady also lodged an assault complaint with police.
She returned to her role in the ticket office but was told she would have to reapply to get her contract renewed.
Following a half-day interview, she was informed last December she had not been successful.
She said: “I have never had any complaints from any of the managers about my work before.
“They said they didn’t feel like I’d performed in the interviews to the 100 per cent I usually do.”
Greater Manchester Police also told her Haaland had not acted with malice.
Last night she hit out at City, saying: “I’m sure Erling would have apologised to me if they had given him the chance.
“But they just wanted to sweep it under the carpet.”
A City spokesperson said “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.”