--- title: "Erling Haaland sues Norwegian Air over image use" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use" category: "Politics" published: "2026-10-01T14:46:14.916Z" source_reported: "2026-10-01T14:01:14.000Z" updated: "2026-10-01T14:46:14.916Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 59 hype_score: 41 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-01T16:15:25.017246+00:00" --- # Erling Haaland sues Norwegian Air over image use *Football star alleges unlawful use of his likeness for advertising during the World Cup.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to Norwegian Air Shuttle and Erling Haaland's representatives; multiple outlets cite AFP. - Craft 59 of 100, higher is better. Most reports are digests, limiting the depth of reporting and analysis available. - Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and digests focus on the 'ponytail' or 'horsetail' as the central, curious element of the dispute. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Erling Haaland is suing Norwegian Air Shuttle. - The lawsuit concerns the airline's use of Haaland's image, specifically his ponytail hairstyle, for advertising during the World Cup. - Norwegian Air Shuttle has stated the lawsuit is "incomprehensible and regrettable." - The case involves allegations of unauthorized or illegal use of Haaland's likeness and trademark. Norwegian football star Erling Haaland has filed a lawsuit against Norwegian Air Shuttle. The legal action centres on the airline's alleged use of Haaland's image, particularly his distinctive ponytail hairstyle, for advertising purposes during the World Cup. Norwegian Air Shuttle has responded by stating that the lawsuit is "incomprehensible and regrettable." ## Disagreement on the specifics of the advertising While multiple reports agree the lawsuit concerns the use of Haaland's image and ponytail for advertising during the World Cup, some specify the method of use. Several reports state the airline mounted the footballer's blond braid or ponytail on an airplane for marketing. Others, such as Frankfurter Allgemeine, suggest the airline wanted to advertise with the hairstyle. Spiegel notes that the subject-matter of the dispute is unknown, but according to Norwegian media, it is about Haaland's former horsetail hairstyle. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific date the lawsuit was filed, beyond general references to "Thursday" in The Local - No. The full report from svt Nyheter did not contain any information about the lawsuit, instead featuring unrelated sports news. ## Who covered it Shares of the 26 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 23% (6) - Centre: 35% (9) - Right: 42% (11) 54 of 80 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-01T16:15:25.017246+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-01T17:00:25.990Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports focused on Erling Haaland suing Norwegian Air Shuttle for unlawfully using his likeness. Several mentioned the ponytail or horsetail hairstyle as the specific image in question. For example, The Local - No reported that the lawsuit was over "ponytail image" and that the airline claimed the lawsuit was "incomprehensible and regrettable." Aftonbladet stated that Haaland's team believes the company "exploited the superstar" and "illegally used the player in their marketing." ### Centre - Centre-rated reports highlighted that Erling Haaland is suing Norwegian Air Shuttle for illegal use of his image. Many specified that the dispute involved his ponytail or horsetail hairstyle and its use in advertising during the World Cup. 24ur.com reported that the airline called the lawsuit "incomprehensible and regrettable." France24 quoted Haaland's lawyer, Thomas Hagen, stating that "The case deals with Norwegian's illegal use of Haaland's distinctive signs in its promotion of airline tickets during the football World Cup." ### Right - Right-rated reports focused on Erling Haaland suing an airline, often mentioning the ponytail or horsetail hairstyle as the cause. Protothema reported that Haaland and his representatives believe the company made "illegal use of Haaland's trademark." Welt stated that "The airline used its trademark for World Cup advertising," and a company spokesman expressed "his incomprehension." Le Figaro noted that the "Horsetail of Erling Haaland Lands Before the Norwegian Courts." ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 19 - unknown: 54 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [fanatik.ro](https://fanatik.ro/scandal-in-norvegia-erling-haaland-asteptat-la-tribunal-inainte-de-revenirea-la-manchester-city-21555358) — Scandal in Norway! Erling Haaland, Waited in Court Before Returning to Manchester City - [sport.ro](https://sport.ro/fotbal-extern/amuzant-dar-haaland-nu-a-ras-ce-a-facut-starul-lui-manchester-city-cand-a-vazut-gluma-despre-el.html) — Funny, but Haaland Didn't Laugh What Manchester City Star Did when He Saw the Joke About Him. - [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/sport/erling-haaland-a-dat-in-judecata-compania-norwegian-air-shuttle-dupa-ce-i-a-folosit-frizura-celebra-intr-o-reclama-805435.html) — Erling Haaland Sued Norwegian Air Shuttle Company After Using His Famous Hairdresser in a Commercial - [The Sunday Guardian Live](https://sundayguardianlive.com/sports/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-world-cup-haaland-ponytail-ad-fifa-world-cup-manchester-city-star-in-legal-battle-ahead-norway-vs-wales-uefa-nations-league-202-latest-football-news-296651) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Air Over World Cup Ponytail Ad: Manchester City Star in Legal Battle Ahead of Norway vs Wales UEFA Nations League Clash - [voetbalprimeur.nl](https://voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/2141977/haaland-klaagt-vliegmaatschappij-aan-om-opvallende-wk-post.html) — Haaland Takes Airline to Court After Notable Action During World Cup - [ilnapolista.it](https://ilnapolista.it/2026/10/haaland-norwegian-air-causa-coda-di-cavallo) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Air for His Ponytail: "He Was only Typhus", "No, It Was Advertising" - [onsports.gr](https://onsports.gr/podosfairo/story/873817/xalant-sta-dikastiria-me-ti-norwegian-air-gia-xrisi-tis-eikonas-tou) — Haaland: In Court with Norwegian Air for Use of His Image - [maszol.ro](https://maszol.ro/sport/Haaland-beperelte-a-norveg-legitarsasagot-a-copfos-repulogep-miatt) — Haaland Sues Norwegian over Plane with Pigtails - [ProSport](https://prosport.ro/?p=20537209) — Haaland Sues an Airline! The Plane with Its Famous Tail Triggered the disputeHaaland Sues an Airline! The Plane with Its Famous Tail Triggered the Dispute - [sport.cz](https://sport.cz/clanek/fotbal-ms-letecka-spolecnost-si-zadelala-na-maler-kvuli-haalandovu-culiku-5546109) — The Airline Got Into Trouble because of Haaland's Ponytail - [pelop.gr](https://pelop.gr/deite-gia-poio-logo-o-chaalant-ekane-minysi-kata-aeroporikis-etaireias) — See Why Haaland Sued an Airline - [pmo.ee](https://pmo.ee/8556492) — Norwegian Star Sues Airline - [vienna.at](https://vienna.at/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion/10511330) — Haaland Sues Norwegian for Marketing Action - [bd.nl](https://bd.nl/voetbal/erling-haaland-klaagt-noorse-vliegmaatschappij-aan-om-ongeoorloofd-gebruik-van-paardenstaart~a2fc38e7) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for 'Unauthorized' Use of Horsetail - [24ur.com](https://24ur.com/sport/nogomet/haaland-v-tozbo-proti-norveski-letalski-druzbi.html) — Haaland Files Lawsuit Against Norwegian Air Lines - [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://telegraf.rs/sport/fudbal/4406905-erling-haland-tuzio-norvesku-aviokompaniju-zbog-sporne-reklame) — Erling Haaland Sued the Norwegian Airline because of the Disputed Advertisement! - [Frankfurter Allgemeine](https://faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/menschen/haaland-verklagt-fluggesellschaft-wohl-wegen-werbung-mit-pferdeschwanz-201280733.html) — Haaland Is Probably Suing Airline for Advertising with Ponytail - [CNN Greece](https://cnn.gr/sports/story/554953/paranomi-ekmetallefsi-giati-o-xaalant-sernei-sta-dikastiria-megali-aeroporiki-etaireia) — "Illegal Exploitation!": Why Haaland Is Taking a Major Airline to Court - [onetz.de](https://onetz.de/sport/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion-id5518854.html) — Haaland Sues Airline for Marketing Action - [noz.de](https://noz.de/sport/fussball/artikel/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion-51529014) — Haaland Sues Airline for Marketing Action - [saarbruecker-zeitung.de](https://saarbruecker-zeitung.de/sport/fussball/auslandsfussball/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion_aid-155796163) — Football: Haaland Sues Airline for Marketing Action - [volksfreund.de](https://volksfreund.de/sport/fussball/auslandsfussball/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion_aid-155796129) — Football: Haaland Sues Airline for Marketing Action - [wz.de](https://wz.de/sport/fussball/international/haaland-verklagt-fluglinie-wegen-marketing-aktion_aid-155796137) — Haaland Sues Airline for Marketing Action - [Unknown](https://eleftherostypos.gr/sports/podosfairo/erlingk-chaalant-sernei-aeroporiki-sta-dikastiria-gia-tin-alogooura-tou) — Erling Haaland: He's Taking an Airline to Court over his... Ponytail - [www.cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/sport/2026-10-01/football-erling-haaland-poursuit-en-justice-une-compagnie-aerienne-norvegienne) — Football: Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for Use of His Horsetail - [Nieuws.nl](https://nieuws.nl/voetbal/haaland-klaagt-noorse-vliegmaatschappij-aan-om-paardenstaart) — Haaland Sues Norwegian over Ponytail Stunt - [Ilta-Sanomat](https://is.fi/jalkapallo/art-2000012312770.html) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian - [Newsit.gr](https://newsit.gr/athlitika/o-erlingk-xaalant-minyei-aeroporiki-etairia-gia-paranomi-ekmetalleysi-tis-kotsidas-tou/4787808) — Erling Haaland Sues Airline for Illegally Exploiting His Braid - [ieidiseis.gr](https://ieidiseis.gr/athlitismos/878883/i-kotsida-toy-chaalant-paei-sta-dikastiria-ekane-minysi-stin-norwegian-air) — Haaland's Braid Goes to Court - He Sued Norwegian Air - [Ecopolitic](https://ecopolitic.ro/erling-haaland-da-in-judecata-compania-norwegian-air-shuttle-pentru-utilizarea-neautorizata-a-imaginii-sale) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Air Shuttle for Unauthorized Use of Its Image - [www.kleinezeitung.at](https://kleinezeitung.at/artikel/41315816/werbe-zoff-nach-wm-haaland-verklagt-fluggesellschaft-norwegian) — Advertising-Zoff After World Cup: Haaland Sues Airline Norwegian - [NewsBomb](https://newsbomb.gr/sports/story/1767152/o-erlingk-xaalant-katethese-agogi-kata-tis-norwegian-air-gia-paranomi-ekmetallefsi-ton-mallion-tou) — Erling Haaland Files Lawsuit Against Norwegian Air for Illegal Exploitation of His Hair - [gsp.ro](https://gsp.ro/international/campionate/haaland-judecata-companie-aeriana-norvegiana-983760.html) — Haaland Sues a Norwegian Airline: "It's Hard to Understand - [rthess.gr](https://rthess.gr/viral/i-kotsida-tou-chaalant-ton-odigise-sta-dikastiria-ti-axionei-apo-norvigiki-low-cost-aeroporiki) — Haaland's Braid Led Him to Court / What He Demands From a Norwegian Low-Cost Airline - [Documento](https://documentonews.gr/article/o-chaalant-minyei-norvigiki-aeroporiki-gia-paranomi-chrisi-tis-kotsidas-tou) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for Illegal Use of his... Braid - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/sports/2169274/i-alogooyra-toy-chaalant-eftase-sta-dikastiria) — Haaland's Ponytail Has Reached the Courts - [n-tv](https://n-tv.de/sport/fussball/Pferdeschwanz-macht-Aerger-Haaland-verklagt-Fluggesellschaft-id31369360.html) — World Cup Fun Has Replay: Ponytail Makes Trouble: Haaland Sues Airline - [Fréttir - mbl.is](https://mbl.is/sport/fotbolti/2026/10/01/haaland_i_mal_vid_norskt_flugfelag) — Haaland in Dispute with Norwegian Airline - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/sports/article/1887756/o-haalad-minuei-tin-aeroporiki-etairia-norwegian-air-gia-paranomi-ekmetalleusi-tis-kotsidas-tou) — Haaland Is Suing Norwegian Air for Illegally Exploiting his... Braid! - [Spiegel](https://spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fussball-erling-haaland-verklagt-norwegische-fluggesellschaft-a-b46ac350-c6e6-41f3-9da8-ad91c162896e) — Football Star Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline - [Kronen Zeitung](https://krone.at/4316427) — According to "WM-Spass": Haaland Sues Airline! - [France24](https://france24.com/es/minuto-a-minuto/20261001-haaland-demanda-a-aerol%C3%ADnea-noruega-por-uso-il%C3%ADcito-de-su-coleta) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for "Illicit Use" of Its Ponytail - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2026/10/haaland-processa-companhia-aerea-norueguesa-por-uso-indevido-de-sua-imagem.shtml) — Haaland Aerial Processing for Misuse of Your Image - 01/10/2026 - [Hola News](https://holanews.com/haaland-demanda-a-la-aerolinea-norwegian-por-uso-ilicito-de-su-imagen-durante-el-mundial) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for Unlawful Use of Its Image During the World Cup - [The Local - No](https://thelocal.no/20261001/norway-star-haaland-sues-airline-over-ponytail-image) — Norway star Haaland sues airline over ponytail image - [La Dépêche du Midi](https://ladepeche.fr/2026/10/01/erling-haaland-une-compagnie-aerienne-utilise-sa-queue-de-cheval-pour-faire-de-la-pub-le-buteur-norvegien-porte-plainte-13578376.php) — Erling Haaland: Airline Uses Horsetail to Advertise, Norwegian Striker Complains - [football-addict](https://football-addict.com/fr/article/general/nous-avons-du-mal-a-comprendre-la-queue-de-cheval-de-haaland-atterrit-devant-la-justice-norvegienne/6abe3368ab389c1aa40e1bc0) — "We Have Trouble Understanding": Haaland's Horsetail Lands Before the Norwegian Courts - [midilibre.fr](https://midilibre.fr/2026/10/01/un-avion-une-queue-de-cheval-et-un-proces-choc-attaque-par-erling-haaland-pour-son-image-norwegian-hallucine-13578355.php) — A Plane, a Horsetail and a Shock Trial: Attacked by Erling Haaland for His Image, Norwegian Hallucinates - [Welt](https://welt.de/sport/fussball/article6abe0c9a3af773f07b893383/norwegen-erling-haaland-verklagt-eine-fluglinie.html) — Norway: Erling Haaland Sues an Airline - [Malay News- Malaysian newspapers from Kuala Lumpur](https://malay.news/haaland-saman-syarikat-penerbangan-isu-rambut-ekor-kuda) — Haaland Straw Syarikat Penerbangan Isu Rambut Ekor Kuda - [Unknown](https://alquds.co.uk/%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B9-%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86) — Haaland Sues Airline over Post Inspired by His Hairstyle - [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/sports/football/foot-la-queue-de-cheval-d-erling-haaland-atterrit-devant-la-justice-norvegienne-20261001) — Foot : The Horsetail of Erling Haaland Lands Before the Norwegian Courts - [svt Nyheter](https://svt.se/nyheter/video/87b9b1a20001cb04-erling-haaland-stammer-flygbolag/sgzmr2) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline - [focus.de](https://focus.de/sport/fussball/haaland-verklagt-norwegische-fluggesellschaft-wegen-kurioser-wm-werbung_141ea8af-a505-4e6c-8adc-16a8de8617ee.html) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for Curious World Cup Advertising - [konbini.com](https://konbini.com/lifestyle/la-queue-de-cheval-dhaaland-au-coeur-dune-bataille-judiciaire) — Haaland's Horsetail at the Heart of a Judicial Battle - [IndexHR](https://index.hr/sport/clanak/pogledajte-fotografiju-zbog-koje-je-haaland-podigao-sudsku-tuzbu/2840756.aspx) — See the Photo that Caused Haaland to File a Lawsuit - [Dagens industri](https://di.se/live/erling-haaland-stammer-norwegian) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian - [Bild](https://bild.de/sport/fussball/erling-haaland-verklagt-norwegian-streit-um-wm-werbung-6abdeb99ca5c42fe8f93151c) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian: Dispute over World Cup Advertising - [lindependant.fr](https://lindependant.fr/2026/10/01/football-comment-la-queue-de-cheval-derling-haaland-se-retrouve-t-elle-devant-la-justice-norvegienne-13578245.php) — Football: How Does Erling Haaland's Horsetail End up in Norwegian Court - [Jyllands-Posten](https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/ECE19695877/haaland-sagsoeger-norwegian-for-kommerciel-udnyttelse-under-vm) — Haaland Sues Norwegian for Commercial Exploitation During World Cup - [resume.se](https://resume.se/alla-nyheter/morgonsvepet/haaland-stammer-norwegian-efter-vm-reklamen) — Haaland Sues Norwegian After World Cup Commercial - [rbnett.no](https://rbnett.no/sport/n/JOPKa8/norwegian-uforstaaende-til-soeksmaal-fra-haaland) — Norwegian Incomprehensible to Lawsuit From Haaland - [Prensa Libre](https://prensalibre.com/deportes/deporte-internacional/haaland-demanda-a-la-aerolinea-norwegian-por-uso-ilicito-de-su-imagen-durante-el-mundial) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline for Unlawful Use of Its Image During the World Cup - [avisendanmark.dk](https://avisendanmark.dk/sport/haaland-sagsoeger-norwegian-for-at-bruge-ham-i-markedsfoering-under-vm) — Haaland Sues Norwegian for Using Him in Marketing During the World Cup - [berlingske.dk](https://berlingske.dk/sport/haaland-sagsoeger-norwegian-for-at-bruge-ham-i-markedsfoering-under-vm) — Haaland Sues Norwegian for Using Him in Marketing During the World Cup - [Vísir](https://visir.is/g/20262942226d/haaland-stefnir-flug-fe-lagi-i-noregi) — Haaland Heads to Norwegian Airline - [HD](https://hd.se/sport/haaland-stammer-norska-flygbolaget) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline - [Sydsvenskan](https://sydsvenskan.se/sport/haaland-stammer-norska-flygbolaget) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline - [Aftonbladet](https://aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/Wv4g0j/erling-haaland-stammer-norweigan) — Haaland Sues Norwegian Airline - [kampanje.com](https://kampanje.com/markedsforing/haaland-og-norwegian-i-reklame-brak/1030884) — Haaland and Norwegian in Advertising Dispute - [Ekstra Bladet](https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/landsholdsfodbold/VM2026/erling-haaland-sagsoeger-norwegian/11306309) — Erling Haaland Sues Norwegian - [NRK](https://nrk.no/sport/vg_-erling-braut-haaland-saksoker-norwegian-1.18041636) — VG: Erling Braut Haaland Sues Norwegian - [aftenbladet.no](https://aftenbladet.no/lokalt/i/wry3v5/vg-haaland-saksoeker-norwegian-etter-vm) — VG: Haaland Sues Norwegian After the World Cup - [Agderposten](https://agderposten.no/sport/n/V6OgG6/vg-haaland-saksoeker-norwegian) — VG: Haaland Sues Norwegian - [fvn.no](https://fvn.no/sport/n/xrxlOn/vg-haaland-saksoeker-norwegian) — VG: Haaland Sues Norwegian - [www.dn.no](https://dn.no/marked/erling-braut-haaland/norwegian/vg-erling-braut-haaland-saksoker-norwegian/2-1-2052041) — VG: Erling Braut Haaland Sues Norwegian - [E24](https://e24.no/naeringsliv/i/pB01W1/erling-braut-haaland-har-gaatt-til-sak-mot-norwegian-etter-vm) — Erling Braut Haaland Sues Norwegian After the World Cup - [Aftenposten](https://aftenposten.no/verden/i/7p975V/vg-haaland-saksoeker-norwegian-etter-vm) — VG: Haaland Sues Norwegian After the World Cup - [Nettavisen](https://nettavisen.no/sport/haaland-saksoker-norwegian/s/80-95-122928) — Erling Braut Haaland Sues Norwegian - [VG](https://vg.no/sport/i/Bx706l/erling-braut-haaland-har-gaatt-til-sak-mot-norwegian-etter-vm) — Erling Braut Haaland Has Filed a Lawsuit Against Norwegian After the World Cup ## Questions **Why is Erling Haaland suing Norwegian Air Shuttle?** Erling Haaland is suing Norwegian Air Shuttle over the alleged unlawful use of his image, particularly his distinctive ponytail hairstyle, for advertising during the World Cup. His representatives believe the company made illegal use of his likeness and trademark. **What has Norwegian Air Shuttle said about the lawsuit?** Norwegian Air Shuttle has stated that the lawsuit is "incomprehensible and regrettable." A company spokesman expressed his incomprehension regarding the legal action taken by the footballer. **What specific aspect of Haaland's image is central to the lawsuit?** The lawsuit centres on the alleged use of Erling Haaland's distinctive ponytail or horsetail hairstyle for advertising purposes. Some reports suggest the airline mounted the hairstyle on an airplane as part of a marketing campaign. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Erling Haaland sues Norwegian Air over image use", https://mediabias.news/politics/erling-haaland-sues-norwegian-air-over-image-use