A woman playing the role of Manchester City’s club mascot, “Moonbeam,” is alleged to have suffered “concussion and whiplash” at the hands of Erling Haaland. According to the Sun, the Norwegian striker hit the unidentified woman on the back of the head while she was wearing the costume prior to City’s October Premier League match against Southampton.
After receiving two hits to the back of her head while posing for a photo, the woman asked a coworker, “What the hell was that that struck me?” She was then informed by her coworker that she had been struck by Haaland, one of the best players in the world. She recalled:
“I was crying, feeling really depressed, and my head was thudding, so I suppose I was in shock. I found out later that he had struck me in the head from behind and then leaned on my head.
The incident was reported to the city’s safeguarding supervisor by the woman, who started working for City in June of last year and occasionally acted as Moonbeam on matchdays. They apparently dismissed it with a laugh, saying, “At least you can say Erling Haaland hit you.”
After the incident, the woman was given the option to return home, but she declined and kept working the shift. She reported experiencing headache and neck pain after vomiting. The following day, she went to the hospital, and a CT scan showed no harm.
Paul Kenyon, the city’s head of health and safety, started an investigation, but after looking through CCTV, it was determined that Haaland had not hurt her. The video merely showed the Norwegian “grazing” the mascot, according to a report, but the Norwegian “always does a gentle touch on the back or head of Moonbeam as recognition.” Additionally, she brought the issue to the attention of Greater Manchester Police, who exonerated Haaland of any misconduct.
Later, the woman has criticised City for its handling of the situation, saying they “just wanted to sweep the matter under the carpet.” She stated:
“Erling responded, ‘No, they don’t want to distract him,’ when I enquired if anyone had spoken to him. If they had given Erling the chance, I have no doubt that he would have apologised to me. However, they merely wished to ignore it.
A City representative has now addressed the issue. “Manchester City denies the complaint that was made in this regard,” they stated.
“After conducting a thorough investigation, the Club concluded that there was no evidence, including video footage, to support the allegation that an injury was received in the way described. We also know that Greater Manchester Police received a complaint, but they did not take any further action.
The woman went back to work at the ticket office, but she was informed that in order to have her contract renewed, she would need to reapply. She did so, but after learning in December that she had failed, she no longer works for the club.
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