Haaland pulled from Norway press after Man City guilty on 114 charges 2026

Key Points

• Haaland is now excluded from attending Norway’s pre-match press conference as scheduled this weekend after the news that Manchester City were guilty on 114 out of 115 financial charges in the Premier League.
• The announcement came via Norway’s media manager Morten Skjonsberg, who will be accompanied in the press conference by Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica, and Ståle Solbakken, the head coach.
• The announcement, initially made by The Athletic and then supported by a number of other media outlets including the BBC, concerns allegations of violations from 2009 till 2018; the club denies the allegations and will probably appeal.
• The details about the potential penalties are not revealed yet, but according to football finance experts and the media, those can amount to huge fines, points deduction or even relegation from the Premier League in extreme cases.
• Earlier, Haaland expressed his indifference towards the charges, relying on the assurances of club officials while signing the long-term contract for 2025.

Manchester Crime ( Manchester Mirror) September 26, 2026 — Manchester City forward Erling Haaland will no longer address the media during Norway’s international camp this weekend after the club was reportedly found guilty of the majority of 115 Premier League financial charges, a development that has triggered widespread reaction across football and prompted the Norwegian Football Federation to alter its press arrangements.

What happened to Erling Haaland’s media plans with Norway?

Norway had planned for Haaland to speak to journalists ahead of Sunday’s Nations League fixture against Portugal, but that arrangement was cancelled on Friday following the emergence of the City verdict. According to Norwegian broadcaster TV2, as cited by multiple outlets, Haaland has been replaced in the pre-match press conference by Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup, who will appear alongside head coach Ståle Solbakken.

Morten Skjonsberg, Norway’s media manager, is reported to have informed journalists of the change with a message stating: “We are making changes to tomorrow’s press conference. (Ståle) Solbakken, (Fredrik) Aursnes and (Andreas) Schjelderup will be on the ground floor.” The move came hours after The Athletic reported that an independent commission had found City guilty on all but one of the 115 charges brought in February 2023, with the BBC subsequently confirming that the club had been found guilty of breaking the majority of the rules.

What is the Manchester City 115 charges verdict?

The charges, which relate to alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018, were referred to an independent three-person commission that held a 12-week hearing between September and December 2024. On 25 September 2026, multiple media organisations reported that the panel had concluded City were guilty on 114 of the 115 allegations.

The allegations span several categories, including 54 charges for failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information between 2009 and 2018, 14 charges concerning inaccurate reporting of player and manager compensation in the same period, seven charges for breaching Profitability and Sustainability regulations between 2015 and 2018, and 35 charges for failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from 2018 to 2023. The Premier League has informed other clubs of the decision, with some directors receiving the details under non-disclosure agreements, according to BBC Sport.

How has Manchester City responded to the guilty verdict?

Manchester City have not confirmed the reported outcome but reiterated their longstanding position that the process remains ongoing and subject to confidentiality. In a statement, the club said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.”

City have consistently denied the allegations and are expected to appeal the verdict, a route confirmed by multiple reports. Football finance expert Stefan Borson told BBC Radio 5 Live that the sanctioning process would not be quick and that uncertainty could persist during any appeal.

What has Erling Haaland said about the 115 charges before this U-turn?

Although Haaland’s withdrawal from media duties prevents an immediate reaction to the latest developments, he has previously addressed the issue on several occasions. After signing a nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025 — the longest in Premier League history — Haaland said he had not considered the charges during negotiations.

“No, I haven’t thought of that or anything,” Haaland said at a press conference shortly after signing. “I am confident that the club know what they are doing and I really don’t think I should speak too much about this.” In March 2025, he repeated that he was not concerned about potential punishment, adding:

“I don’t do that, obviously, when I sign a nine-and-a-half-year contract. I’ve said 300 times why I signed the contract. I talked to the club, got a good feeling and agreed to it in the end. That’s why.”

In July 2025, Haaland told TIME Magazine:

“I spoke with the bosses, and in the end, I believe them. It’s such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn’t really involved in it. So I think the club knows what they’re doing. They will sort it out.”

What punishments could Manchester City face?

The range of possible sanctions has been widely discussed, though no official penalty has been announced. Reports indicate that punishments could include substantial fines, points deductions severe enough to trigger relegation, or, in the most extreme scenario, expulsion from the Premier League.

Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that the penalty “will have to be a severe one” and warned that “there’s no end to the possible problems coming out of this”, including potential legal action from other clubs. Some Premier League sides have already sought legal advice on whether they could claim compensation as a result of City’s alleged breaches.

What are the wider reactions from football figures and fans?

The verdict has prompted strong reactions from across the game. Former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live that a guilty verdict would give City an “asterisk” over their achievements. Neil Atkinson of The Anfield Wrap described the situation as concerning “fraudulent behaviour” and suggested expulsion was a realistic possibility.

Among City supporters, responses have ranged from shock to defiance. One fan told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If we are removed from the league, we’ll come back stronger. If you’ve done wrong, you have to face the consequences.” Another added: “I can’t wait to see Erling Haaland bag a hat-trick against Grimsby,” referencing a potential drop to lower divisions.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, a Manchester native, urged caution, telling ITV Granada that people should “study the independent commission’s report in some considerable detail before reaching any conclusions”.

Background of the 115 charges development

The Premier League first charged Manchester City in February 2023 with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules covering the period from 2009 to 2018. The case proceeded to an independent commission, which conducted a 12-week hearing between September and December 2024. The charges include failures to provide accurate financial information, inaccurate reporting of player and manager compensation, breaches of Profitability and Sustainability regulations, and failures to co-operate with investigations. City have denied all allegations and maintained that the process has been flawed, while the Premier League has insisted its rules must be upheld.

Prediction: How could this affect Manchester City supporters and players?

For Manchester City supporters, the immediate effect is likely to be prolonged uncertainty as the appeal process unfolds, with matchdays potentially overshadowed by questions over the club’s status and the validity of past honours. For players such as Erling Haaland, the environment could become increasingly pressurised, with every performance scrutinised against the backdrop of possible sanctions, while recruitment and contract negotiations may be complicated by the unresolved situation. If severe penalties are ultimately imposed, the club’s competitive position, commercial appeal and ability to retain top talent could all be affected, reshaping the landscape for fans and squad members alike.