Alf Inge Haaland says he was escorted from his seat at the Santiago Bernabéu because Real Madrid fans were “not happy” with his celebrations following Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half equaliser for Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final.
The Belgian scored a spectacular goal after 67 minutes as the Premier League leaders claimed a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-four tie against the holders on Tuesday night.
Images posted on social media appeared to show Erling Haaland’s father mocking the home fans before being removed from a VIP box by Madrid security.
Alf Inge Haaland tweeted: “OK. RM was not happy we were celebrating KDB goal. Other than that we had to move because RM fans not happy with 1-1.” The Norwegian smiled and waved at the crowd below him in the stands, cupping his ears before being escorted away.
In response to a tweet claimed he had thrown peanuts at Real Madrid fans, Haaland said: “I did not. Not true.”
“We had some good banter with Madrid fans,” he added. “They were not happy when City scored. Typical. Then we had to move 50m away. Nothing more. All happy. Well nearly.”
The former Manchester City midfielder regularly attends City’s matches, and has seen his son set a Premier League scoring record and claim 51 goals in all competitions this season.
Treble-chasing City can ill-afford to ease up ahead of the return encounter, with a testing trip to relegation-threatened Everton in the Premier League this weekend as Pep Guardiola’s side strive to hold off Arsenal in the title race.
