Manchester City Consider Legal Action Over Haaland Election Stunt

Manchester City are weighing up legal action after a Real Madrid presidential candidate publicly vowed to sign Erling Haaland and even paraded a Madrid shirt with the striker’s name on it.

City bristle as Haaland used in election stunt

Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy tycoon attempting to unseat Florentino Perez, appeared on Spanish television on Wednesday and unveiled a Real Madrid jersey emblazoned with “Haaland” on the back. He then made a bold promise.

“He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid,” Riquelme declared.

The response from Haaland’s camp was immediate and emphatic. In a joint statement, his father and his agent shot down the claims, before City themselves moved to dismiss the entire episode.

“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” the statement read. “There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.

“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”

For City, this is no longer just background transfer noise. It is an election pledge built on their star striker’s name and likeness, aired on national television in another country.

Rodri dragged into the campaign

Haaland was not the only City player drafted into Riquelme’s pitch to voters. The candidate also publicly targeted Rodri, the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s midfield.

“He is a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen,” Riquelme said. “We have spoken to his agent. We have to respect his club, but if I'm president he will play for Madrid. I will do everything possible.”

Again, the message was clear: this is not discreet groundwork behind the scenes; this is transfer talk weaponised for the ballot box.

A rare challenge to Perez – and lavish promises

Riquelme’s challenge is significant in itself. For the first time in 20 years, Perez does not stand unopposed in a Real Madrid presidential election. The vote, called by Perez, will be held on Sunday, 7 June, with just under 100,000 club members eligible to decide the future of the presidency.

The backdrop is uncomfortable for the incumbent. Real Madrid have gone two seasons without a major trophy, a drought that has fuelled discontent in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu and prompted Perez to seek a renewed mandate.

Riquelme has seized on that unease with a campaign of grandiose pledges. He has promised vast giveaways, including the construction of a “members’ city” for fans around the club’s training base. He has also vowed to cut annual membership fees by up to 50% if Madrid fail to win the Champions League next season.

The message to socios is simple: vote for change, and get more for less.

Mourinho, Klopp and the future of the dugout

Power at Madrid is never just about players. It is about the man in the dugout, too.

Perez has lined up Jose Mourinho for a dramatic return, but that appointment can only be ratified if he wins the election. Riquelme has made it clear he opposes that move and wants a different profile entirely.

His camp has strongly hinted that Jurgen Klopp is their main target. Speaking to The Athletic last month, Riquelme stopped short of naming the German outright, but left little doubt about the calibre he is chasing.

“Naturally, I would love for profiles of that calibre, and others like them, to coach this club,” he said.

Klopp, fresh from leaving Liverpool, looms over the debate as the symbol of a new direction.

High stakes in Madrid, sharp edges in Manchester

As Sunday’s vote approaches, Perez remains the overwhelming favourite. His long reign, the rebuilt Bernabeu and his grip on the club’s machinery still carry enormous weight with members.

Yet the tone of this campaign has already cut across borders. By dragging Haaland and Rodri into his manifesto and splashing their names across television, Riquelme has not only challenged Perez, he has provoked one of Europe’s most powerful clubs.

If City follow through on their threat and test the legal boundaries of using a player’s image and supposed contractual details in a foreign election campaign, this contest in Madrid could end up having repercussions far beyond the ballot boxes at the Bernabeu.