Erling Haaland's Norway teammate Kristoffer Ajer says the Manchester City striker's behaviour has not changed since the club was found guilty of all but one of the Premier League charges. The verdict relates to non-cooperation with the Premier League investigation, and Haaland was away on international duty when the news broke.
Ajer, speaking to Wales Online ahead of Norway's Nations League clash with Wales, said Haaland has remained focused on the upcoming games despite the uncertainty surrounding his club. The defender noted that the squad has not discussed the case in detail.
Teammate's assessment
"He's been exactly the way he always is with the national team," Ajer said. "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 [with the Man City case]. But right now the main focus is Wales tomorrow night."
Ajer added: "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."
Solbakken's response
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken was more blunt when asked about Haaland. "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 asked whether he had spoken with Haaland about the situation, Solbakken said: "What we speak about is between him and me." He added: "I don't want to deal with that. I don't know how to deal with it. Maybe you have to go to a couple of other press conferences in the near future. It's not for me to go into that issue. That's not one per cent part of my job."
Club's appeal plans
Manchester City have until this Friday to appeal the verdict from the independent commission. The club released a statement reiterating their innocence and expressing surprise at the outcome.
The statement read: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today. The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums."
The statement continued: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe. The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence. The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete."
