Moment Erling Haaland caught ‘scrolling’ through his phone while driving his £250,000 Mercedes after leaving Etihad

ERLING Haaland has been caught appearing to use his mobile phone as he left the Etihad on Sunday night – while behind the wheel of his brand new £250,000 motor.

The Norwegian goal machine, 24, was spotted driving his flash Mercedes Maybach after he scored against Arsenal in a 2-2 draw.

In footage viewed over 12,000 times on TikTok, it looks like Haaland brazenly scrolled through his phone while stopped in traffic alongside glamorous girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen.

Wearing a blue hoodie, he was filmed picking up the device as his vehicle was surrounded by fans taking pictures through the window – only briefly looking up.

Haaland then put down his phone as the traffic started to move.

It comes just a year after the striker was caught using his device while driving his £300k Rolls-Royce Cullinan on a dual-carriageway near to the Etihad in Manchester.

A source said: “Haaland’s certainly scored an own goal.

“His car was surrounded by fans taking pictures and videos.

“He seemed totally unfazed and didn’t think anything of scrolling through his phone while driving.

“He’s a role model to so many young kids – he should know better.

“It’s so dangerous and it’s not the first time he’s done it.”

The incident occurred just hours after the £375,000-a-week footie sensation scored the first goal of the game in the ninth minute.

He was criticised for his celebration when John Stones slotted a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser after he threw the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head, appearing to trigger a bust-up between the two sides.

Road safety campaigners blasted his behaviour, branding it “incredibly dangerous”.

Lucy Straker, Campaigns Manager at Brake, said: “It is important for any person in a position of influence to act responsibly in these situations, so that those who look up to them can follow their example.

“Using any phone while driving is dangerous – driving is a highly complex task requiring a person’s full attention, as any error can be catastrophic.

“The temptation of looking at a phone can never be worth someone’s life.

“We are relieved that in this instance no one was hurt or killed.

“We would encourage Erling Haaland to reach out to us.”

Haaland’s error came despite driving rules in his homeland of Norway also banning motorists from using their devices while at the wheel.

Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is both illegal and incredibly dangerous, significantly increasing the risk of collisions, injuries, and fatalities on our roads.

“It’s crucial that high-profile individuals, particularly those who are role models, understand the far-reaching impact of their actions behind the wheel.”

Drivers caught using mobile phones at the wheel face a £200 fine and six points on a driving licence.

Road safety experts are calling on tougher laws to deter motorists after usage is up 93 percent.

Fresh data from the Department for Transport revealed younger drivers were found to be the most at risk, with use among 17-29 year olds higher than any other age range.

According to the latest Reported Road Casualties Great Britain (2022), 22 people were killed and 674 injured in road traffic collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was considered to be a contributory factor.

Manchester City and Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk