Incident Details:: Erling Haaland allegedly struck the mascot 'Moonbeam' on the back of the head pre-match.
Mascot's Claim:: The temporary staffer reported suspected whiplash and concussion, seeking hospital assessment.
Club & Police Action:: Manchester City conducted an internal probe, reviewing CCTV footage. A complaint was also lodged with Greater Manchester Police.
Investigation Outcome:: Both the club and police concluded there was insufficient evidence of injury caused as alleged or malicious intent. No further action was taken.
Employment Issue:: The mascot's contract was not renewed following the incident, a decision the club attributed to interview performance, but which the mascot believes was linked to the complaint.
Conflicting Accounts:: The mascot accused the club of a "cover-up" to protect Haaland, while Manchester City refuted the claims and the alleged manner of injury.
Why this matters:: This incident raises discussions about player conduct off the pitch, the procedures clubs follow when investigating complaints involving star players, and the handling of temporary staff concerns.
The incident occurred before Manchester City's Premier League match against Southampton on October 26th. The mascot, a university graduate working occasional shifts as the alien character 'Moonbeam', reported feeling two blows to the back of her head while posing for photos.
Initially thinking she'd been hit by a stray football, she was informed by a colleague, "It was Erling. He hit you from behind." She described feeling shocked, upset, and experiencing a thudding headache. She later reported vomiting and neck pain.
The mascot reported the incident to the club's safeguarding boss, who allegedly treated it lightly. After continuing her shift, she visited Salford Royal's A&E the next day. Medical notes reportedly confirmed her symptoms, though a CT scan revealed no damage.
Manchester City launched an internal probe led by their health and safety head. According to the mascot, the focus was primarily on her account, with hesitancy to distract Haaland by speaking to him directly. The club's investigation reviewed video footage and concluded Haaland only "grazed" the mascot, stating his interaction was a customary "gentle touch" of recognition. The report found no evidence backing the claim that an injury was sustained as alleged.
The mascot also filed an assault complaint with Greater Manchester Police. The police ultimately determined Haaland had not acted with malice and took no further action.
Following the incident, the woman returned to her role in the ticket office but was later told she needed to reapply for her contract renewal. After interviews, she was informed in December that she had been unsuccessful, citing performance issues during the interviews. The mascot disputes this, believing the non-renewal was retaliation for her complaint.
She accused the club of wanting to "sweep it under the carpet" to protect their high-profile striker, stating, "I’m sure Erling would have apologised to me if they had given him the chance."
Manchester City firmly refuted the mascot's claims and the allegation of a cover-up, reiterating that their investigation, supported by video evidence, did not substantiate her account of the injury. They also highlighted the police's decision not to proceed further.
What exactly did Manchester City's investigation find?
The club's probe, including a review of video footage, concluded that Haaland only "grazed" the mascot in what was described as a customary gentle touch, and found no evidence to support the claim that an injury was sustained in the alleged manner.
Was Erling Haaland disciplined by the club or police?
No. Manchester City's internal investigation cleared him, and Greater Manchester Police found no malicious intent and took no further action.
Why wasn't the mascot's contract renewed?
Manchester City stated the non-renewal was due to the mascot not performing sufficiently well in the reapplication interviews. The mascot believes it was connected to the incident and her complaint.
Understand the differing perspectives: the mascot's claim of injury and unfair treatment versus the club's findings and refutation.
Recognize the complexities involved when incidents occur involving high-profile athletes and support staff.
Note the outcomes of both the internal club investigation and the police report, which found insufficient evidence to proceed against Haaland.
What are your thoughts on how Manchester City handled this situation? Let us know in the comments!
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