Ajer: Haaland Unfazed by Manchester City Verdict Ahead of Wales Clash
Kristoffer Ajer says Erling Haaland has shown no change in Norway’s camp following Manchester City’s financial-rule verdict, with the striker set to lead the line against Wales in Cardiff on Thursday.
Key facts
| Item | Figure/date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Next match | Thursday | Wales v Norway, Cardiff City Stadium |
| Haaland for Norway | 65 goals in 57 games | He will seek another international goal |
| Nations League record | 22 goals | Competition’s leading scorer of all time |
| City verdict | Tuesday | Independent panel upheld financial-rule breaches |
The Brentford defender described Haaland as a constant source of positivity around the squad and insisted the Manchester City forward remains the same person he first encountered, despite his status as football’s biggest name.
“He gives the group energy and happiness,” Ajer said. “The biggest praise I can offer is that he has not altered at all since I first met him, even though he is probably the biggest star in the game now. The last few days have been no different, and that does not surprise me.”
Haaland returns to action after an independent panel ruled that City used artificial commercial agreements to raise declared sponsorship income. The findings also stated that the club submitted inaccurate accounts which obscured its real financial position and committed major breaches of Premier League and UEFA spending regulations.
Reports of the verdict emerged on Friday, before the panel’s decision was released on Tuesday. City continue to reject the charges and intend to appeal. Any punishment will be considered separately by an independent commission.
Norway’s players have not made the City case a major subject inside their camp. Ajer said the group did not have detailed knowledge of the legal and financial issues involved.
“I have barely looked into it, to be honest, and we have not spoken about it much,” he said. “The statement only came out yesterday, so it is all very recent. We are footballers; we do not know every detail being discussed in the media. There have not been big conversations because we do not know enough.”
Haaland scored in Norway’s 2-1 loss to Portugal two days after the initial reports surfaced. Before that, he struck twice against Denmark to push his Nations League record to 22 goals.
Ajer believes Norway can again rely on their captain and leading scorer in Cardiff. “For me, he is the best player in the world,” the centre-back said. “Hopefully he gets a couple tomorrow as well.”
