Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has received a court date after filing a lawsuit against Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. The case is scheduled for a hearing at Oslo District Court on Friday, October 9.
Legal Dispute Over Marketing
Haaland has taken legal action against the airline company Norwegian over an alleged marketing violation. Norwegian outlet VG has published comments from lawyer Thomas Hagen of the law firm Schjodt regarding the dispute.
“We can confirm that we, on behalf of York Promotions Ltd. and Erling Braut Haaland, have filed a summons against Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA,” Hagen wrote in an email to VG. “The case concerns Norwegian's unlawful exploitation of Haaland's characteristics in its marketing of airline tickets during the World Cup.”
He added: “We have no further comments at this time.”
Court Schedule and Airline Response
The outlet shared an image of the Oslo District Court schedule that lists Haaland’s meeting on October 9. The planning meeting is scheduled as a video call from 10am to 11am and is ordinarily held between the judge and other relevant parties to prepare a case for trial.
While the details of the dispute are unknown, Norwegian has deleted social media posts showing a photoshopped image of Haaland’s previous ponytail hairstyle on top of a Norwegian aircraft. The airline company confirmed to VG that it has received a lawsuit.
“It is true that we have received a lawsuit that we do not understand,” Norwegian press officer Eivind Hammer Myhre told VG. “We, like almost all of Norway, have been involved in cheering on the national team this summer through a few spontaneous posts based on trends in social media.”
“It is a shame that the cheers have been met with lawsuits, but we hope for a reasonable dialogue so that we can also be allowed to cheer on our common sports heroes in the future.”
Haaland's International Focus
Haaland is currently on international duty with Norway, who are set to face Wales in the Nations League on Thursday. The 26-year-old recently scored twice in a win over Denmark and also found the net against Portugal at the weekend.
The striker made waves with his national team during this summer’s World Cup. Haaland scored seven goals during the tournament, including an iconic brace in their quarter-final victory over Brazil before being eliminated by England.
Haaland’s immediate focus will be on helping Norway earn victory over Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium. Norway sit second in their Nations League group following a 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Wales will aim for a statement result on home soil as Craig Bellamy’s side look to overcome a tough run of form. The country are winless in their last six matches, losing both of their opening Nations League games to Portugal and Denmark so far during the international break.
