Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland has reportedly taken legal action against Norwegian airline Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA over a social-media advertisement featuring his distinctive ponytail hairstyle.
According to Norwegian publication VG, Haaland and York Promotions Ltd. filed a lawsuit concerning a post published by the airline on social media.
The post featured an image of a Norwegian Air plane with a representation of Haaland's former ponytail hairstyle, which had shaved sides. The airline accompanied the image with the caption: “We've never looked more Norwegian.”
The post has since been deleted.
A court hearing in connection with the case is reportedly scheduled to take place in Oslo on October 9.
Norwegian Air press officer Eivind Hammer Myhre confirmed that the company had received the lawsuit but said the airline did not understand the basis for the legal action.
According to Myhre, the airline had joined other people in Norway in supporting the national football team and had published spontaneous social-media posts inspired by trends online.
Haaland has been a key player for Norway's national team and Manchester City. The footballer's distinctive appearance and hairstyles have also attracted considerable attention from fans and brands.
The upcoming court proceedings are expected to shed more light on the dispute between Haaland, his representatives and the airline.