Alf-Inge Haaland used his first interview on the subject to make clear that his son Erling Haaland is not involved in the political fight surrounding Manchester City’s financial case. Pressed on the contract by Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay, the former midfielder refused to engage.
“I can’t comment on player contracts or Erling’s contract. I can’t comment on that,” he told Viaplay, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
The careful line is doing a lot of work. Erling Haaland is under contract at Manchester City until the summer of 2034, and persistent reports have claimed that deal contains a release clause tied to relegation. The club has publicly rejected the premise. His father did not.
City face sanctions after guilty verdict on 115 charges
The timing explains the caution. An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of the vast majority of the 115 financial charges brought by the Premier League for alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, and the club has lodged an appeal against the verdict, as Sports Illustrated reports.
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Possible sanctions range from a points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.
“Erling thinks about playing as much football as he can and concentrates on that,” Haaland Snr told Viaplay. “I think it’s more those of us outside the pitch who think a bit more about it.”
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal in the picture
Three clubs have been named as the most likely destinations if City are forced into the lower division. Barcelona and Real Madrid have long been linked with the striker, and Football Insider reported on 27 September that Arsenal had made contact with Haaland’s representatives over a future move.
Alf-Inge would not touch the destination speculation, telling Viaplay the family had nothing beyond media chatter to work with and that coverage of the FFP case had been one-sided.
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Family waiting on the appeal before taking a view
For now, the father is parking the question. Alf-Inge said the family would wait for the appeal to conclude before taking a view, backing the club’s position that the evidence will favour them.
On the pitch, Erling Haaland has begun the season in blistering form, scoring 9 goals in his first 9 Premier League matches, with his only blank coming in City’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton, according to Goal via LiveScore.
