Erling Haaland issues apology for ignoring questions after suffering new career low
Norway were thumped 5-1 by Austria in the Nations League and captain Erling Haaland has apologised for the performance, having refused to answer questions after the game
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorErling Haaland has issued an apology after Norway were thrashed 5-1 by Austria in the Nations League on Sunday.
Haaland has been captaining Norway in the absence of Martin Odegaard, who is still recovering from an ankle injury he picked up during the last month's international break. His first game as captain went perfectly, with Haaland becoming Norway's all-time leading goalscorer.
He netted a brace as they beat Slovenia 3-0 at home, but their subsequent trip to Austria did not go to plan. Inter Milan star Marko Arnautovic scored two goals, while Philipp Lienhart, Stefan Posch and Michael Gregoritsch also got on the scoresheet.
After the match, Haaland refused to answer any questions from the Norwegian press as he walked through the mixed zone. Instead, Haaland apologised for the result on social media, which was the worst defeat of his career.
"Sorry everyone, this was far too bad on my part," Haaland wrote on his Instagram story. "In November, we go for six points."
Haaland has never suffered a heavier defeat in his senior career, although he was part of a Norway U19s side that was thrashed 6-1 by the Netherlands back in 2018, and he has been criticised for refusing to speak to reporters after the Austria defeat.
Norwegian footballer Kristoffer Lokberg told VG : "It's a shame. If there's anyone we want to hear from after a violent slump, it's the captain. How was it communicated out here? How do you think after the 3-1 goal?
"Do you gather? What do you do? When you are captain, you have been assigned a role that requires a little extra. Then you should stand up. At the same time, I have great respect for the fact that he is in a special position when it comes to attention and requests.
"I understand that he has a strict regime around him in everyday life. But when you have the captain's armband for the Norwegian national team, he should stand up and say a few words."
Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, meanwhile, defended Haaland's decision. "He has every right to that," Berge said. "You can feel the disappointment now. We as a team in there, we stand in ups and downs regardless. The most important thing is that we are united. That's how it is."
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