Haaland unaffected by Man City guilty verdict, says Norway teammate Ajer

Erling Haaland has shown no visible sign of distraction following Manchester City’s guilty verdict on Premier League charges, according to Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer, who is alongside the striker on international duty ahead of their Nations League clash with Wales.

Ajer told reporters: “He’s been exactly the way he always is with the national team. He’s really focused on the upcoming games, and I think he’s trying to do the same as everyone else in waiting to see what the outcome is. But right now the main focus is Wales tomorrow night.”

The Brentford centre-back added that the squad had not discussed the case in depth. “Actually, we’ve not talked too much about it. Obviously, there was a statement released yesterday, so it’s quite fresh and new. We’re just footballers. We don’t know all the ins and outs and all the stuff that’s been talked about in the media. So we haven’t really had any discussions about it.”

Haaland had been scheduled to speak to the media during the international break, but Norway head coach Stale Solbakken pulled him from pre-match press duties after an initial plan to make him available was reversed. Solbakken was characteristically brief when asked about his striker’s form and state of mind. “Very good. Scoring goals,” he said. “He missed one chance against Portugal — one he usually doesn’t miss — but that’s the only thing I can say as a negative. He’s on fire.”

When pressed on whether he had spoken privately with Haaland about the City situation, Solbakken was equally guarded. “What we speak about is between him and me. I don’t want to deal with that. That’s not one per cent part of my job.”

The independent commission found Manchester City guilty on almost all charges brought by the Premier League, with the club cleared on just one count relating to non-cooperation with the investigation. City have until Friday to lodge an appeal and released a statement insisting they are “innocent of the accusations” and that “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists” in support of their positions. The club said it would be “relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums” as the process continues.