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MALMÖ, Sweden — Erling Haaland skipped the Ballon d'Or gala in Paris on Monday to watch a friend clinch the Swedish league title with Malmö instead. The Manchester City striker, who was nominated for the Ballon d'Or but was not considered among the favorites, was seen in the stands in Malmö as the defending Swedish champion beat IFK Göteborg 2-1 to secure the title with two rounds remaining. Haaland's friend Erik Botheim plays for Malmo as a forward. Malmo, which also won the league last year, is eight points clear of Hammarby in second place. Because of the long winter, the Swedish league starts in the spring and ends in the fall.
