Erling Haaland, the star striker of Manchester City, is currently on holiday in Marbella, Andalucia, as his national team, Norway, who did not qualify for the European Championship.
Haaland, who owns a house in an exclusive part of Marbella, enjoys spending time on the southern Spanish coast. He has often been seen with the well-known Spanish footballer Joaquin.
Police raid at Playa Padre
During his current visit, Haaland was unexpectedly involved in a police raid on Sunday afternoon at Playa Padre, a club on Cable Beach in Marbella. Dozens of officers, supported by a helicopter, surrounded the club and asked patrons to identify themselves. This incident was part of the so-called Plan Marbella, which began on April 11 in response to a wave of shootings in the upscale southern Spanish resort town.
Reactions to the raid
A British man who was present later joked about the situation: “Who would have thought the National Police were such fans of Erling Haaland?” The police action was a routine check within the ongoing plan to ensure safety in Marbella. Haaland just happened to be one of the patrons in the club at that time.
The raid surprised many in the area, especially young people waiting to enter the club. After the police raid, they were able to enter without any issues as the party continued into the afternoon. However, some people in the queue decided to leave quickly, thinking something serious was happening inside Playa Padre. The raid resulted in the arrest of a 33-year-old man wanted by the authorities for using false documentation.
Plan Marbella
The ‘Plan Marbella’ includes increased checks on vehicles and individuals with random devices at various times and locations to maximise the element of surprise. Units are deployed in places where crowds gather, particularly in commercial and recreational areas, as well as residential neighbourhoods. The plan is specifically designed to minimise the rise in criminal activity during the tourist season. The main goal is to reduce the impact of ordinary crime and organised crime.