“I didn't do it to annoy someone, but to show how much I love Haaland” Terry Flanagan explains exclusively at England365!
It was one of the moments that captured the imagination in last week’s Premier League action. The sight of a fan hugging Haaland after the Norwegian scored at Bramall Lane went viral and everybody was talking about it afterwards! So, England365.gr searched and found the guy who is an ex-boxer who won English and European titles in the past. He spoke about his love for Manchester City and why he reacted with that spontaneous celebration.
Interview to DIMITRIS MANAKOS
First of all we would like to know a few things about yourself, so that the fans in Greece can identify with that... mysterious man who made his appearance in the world of the Premier League.
"I am a professional boxer. I was actually. I'm English and I've won two titles, one European and one at home in 2014. Now I'm retired and coaching younger kids who want to take up the sport.”
You know, your move to hug Erling Haaland is being shown everywhere. How do you feel about this and more importantly, how did you come to react like this? Was it something spontaneous?
"This is exactly. I never thought about it. That's what I came to do, I couldn't control my emotions at all. I thought about it and did it. One day I remember seeing him score with his head and the next I was on his back and we were celebrating."
Did you sense that Haaland felt uncomfortable at that moment? We didn't see anything like that. Did he tell you something?
“No, he never said anything to me. He was relieved, because he had missed a few opportunities, and he was living that moment with me, too. He hugged me too, I think he liked what I was doing. I wanted to show him how much we love him. Me and the whole town as well. He is a footballer who has been associated with the people of the team. I showed it to him in my own way.
I did it for my son too. He loves him. He plays ball and wants to be like him. He tries to do what he does, he lets his hair grow, does exactly the same things, on and off the pitch. He is his idol.”
Has there been any punishment, any ban, for this move of yours from the Premier League?
"Not yet, but I think it will happen. And I am very sad about it, more for my child. He will be affected more than me, and for that I am very sad. I hope they'll understand, because I didn't do it to annoy someone, but to show how much I love our player and the Premier League."
Do you think you would react the same way even if another Manchester City player made it 1-0 against Sheffield United?
"I love Manchester City. I have followed them everywhere, across the country, in all the Leagues, even when we weren't playing in the Premier League. I think I would do it with someone else too. As you saw in the video, my movement was born out of my passion. I didn't think about it, I couldn't even think…”
