Manchester City are in trouble after allegations that Erling Haaland caused a concussion on the club’s mascot Moonbeam – and that the club then covered up the incident.
According to The Sun, Haaland, who was just confirmed as the Premier League’s highest-paid player, allegedly punched a female student who worked as a Moonbeam before the game against Southampton on October 26. She is said to have suffered whiplash and almost fainted.
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The unnamed woman initially thought she was hit by a wild ball, but it later turned out that it was the Norwegian star player who was behind it.
Now she accuses City of covering up the matter, after her contract as Moonbeam was not renewed. She is said to have earned around £100 per day in her job.
“It was Erling – he hit you from behind”
She tells The Sun:
“I asked a colleague: ‘What the hell hit me?’
“He replied: ‘It was Erling. He hit you from behind.”
“I was quite upset, cried and had a severe headache. I think I was in shock.
“Later I realized that he had come up behind me, hit me in the head and then leaned against my head.
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Moonbeam had to go to hospital
She says she became nauseous and had severe pain in her head and neck. The club’s first-team doctor finally recommended that she go to hospital.
Manchester City acquitted Haaland after reviewing surveillance images, and a complaint to the Greater Manchester Police was also dismissed.
But now the woman claims that the incident is the reason why she was not able to renew her contract:
“I have never received complaints from any manager before,” she says.
“They said they felt I didn’t perform 100% in the interviews, as I usually do.
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How have City reacted?
Manchester City strongly denies that Haaland was involved in such an incident:
“Manchester City rejects this complaint,” the club said via The Sun.
“We conducted a full investigation and found no evidence – including video surveillance – to support the claims of an injury.
“We are also aware that a complaint was sent to Greater Manchester Police, who did not take any action.
Who is Moonbeam?
Moonbeam is one of Manchester City’s two official mascots, along with Moonchester.
Moonbeam is a friendly, blue-skinned alien figure with big eyes and a smile, wearing a City suit. She is often seen with her male counterpart, Moonchester.
