ERLING Haaland left a Manchester City mascot with suspected whiplash and concussion after a playful knock to the back of her head.
The woman, working as alien “Moonbeam”, was hit by the 6ft 4in striker before a game with Southampton.
She went to hospital after being playfully struck while working as furry alien Moonbeam, initially believing she was hit by a stray football.
A club probe later cleared the Norwegian striker before City decided not to renew the furious uni graduate’s contract.
The woman, who does not want to be named, also lodged an assault complaint with police.
Last night she accused the “arrogant” Premier League giants of a “cover-up” to protect Haaland.
She started as a City temp last June and occasionally worked as Moonbeam on matchdays, earning around £100 a time.
Before the Southampton clash on October 26, she felt two blows to the back of her head as she posed for a photo.
She said it left her in shock and as she walked off the pitch she asked a colleague: “What the hell was that that hit me?”
She recalled: “He said, ‘It was Erling. He hit you from behind’.
“I was pretty upset and I was crying and my head was thudding and I think I was in shock.
“I later realised he’d come behind me and hit me on the head and then leaned on my head.”
She told City’s safeguarding boss who allegedly laughed it off, saying: “At least you can say Erling Haaland hit you.”
Following the incident the woman was offered the chance to go home but continued to work the shift.
She said she later vomited and suffered neck and head pain before being assessed the next day by City’s first-team doctor who suggested she go to hospital.
The Salford Royal’s A&E notes confirmed her symptoms though a CT scan revealed no damage.
City’s health and safety head Paul Kenyon launched a probe and told the woman they wanted to look at CCTV.
I’m sure Erling would have apologised to me if they had given him the chance.
But they just wanted to sweep it under the carpet.
She said: “I asked if anyone had spoken to Erling and he said, ‘No, they don’t want to distract him’.”
She added: “I was offended because I was the one hurt but I was being asked all the questions.”
The probe concluded that the striker, 24, did not cause her injuries.
A report stated: “Erling Haaland always does a gentle touch on the back or head of Moonbeam as recognition.”
It says footage showed him only “grazing” the mascot.
The woman returned to her role in the ticket office but was told she would have to reapply to get her contract renewed.
Following a half-day interview, she was informed last December she had not been successful.
She said: “I have never had any complaints from any of the managers about my work before.
“They said they didn’t feel like I’d performed in the interviews to the 100 per cent I usually do.”
Greater Manchester Police also told her Haaland had not acted with malice.
Last night she hit out at City, saying: “I’m sure Erling would have apologised to me if they had given him the chance.
“But they just wanted to sweep it under the carpet.”
A City spokesperson said it “fully investigated and found that none of the evidence, including video footage, backed up the claim that an injury was sustained in the manner alleged”.
It added: “We’re also aware a complaint was made to Greater Manchester Police and no further action was taken by them either.”
