Erling Haaland has been withdrawn from Norway’s scheduled media duties following the disclosure that Manchester City were found guilty of breaching 114 of the 115 Premier League financial rules brought against the club.
Haaland was expected to speak to journalists ahead of Norway’s Nations League meeting with Portugal on Sunday. However, Norwegian media reports said he was replaced on the schedule by Benfica players Andreas Schjelderup and Fredrik Aursnes.
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken explained that the decision was intended to keep the striker focused on the upcoming match rather than questions surrounding Manchester City’s legal case.
“Of course, it is because we want to concentrate and give him the best possible conditions to concentrate on the match,” Solbakken said.
He added that Haaland’s priority should be football and scoring goals for Norway.
The 26-year-old had previously commented on City’s financial case, telling TIME in July that he trusted the club’s leadership.
“I spoke with the bosses, and in the end, I believe them,” Haaland said. “It’s such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn’t really involved in it.”
Manchester City have maintained that the Premier League process is still ongoing and have indicated that they will challenge the findings. No sanctions have yet been announced.
The club’s case relates to alleged financial rule breaches covering several seasons between 2009 and 2018, alongside allegations that City failed to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.
