Manchester United have decided to get rid of striker Mason Greenwood despite charges of attempted rape being dropped earlier this year.
Mr. Greenwood, 21, had been suspended by the club since allegations relating to a young woman emerged after images and videos were posted on social media.
The player—who has played once for England—was due to face trial in November this year but in February the Crown Prosecution Service announced it was dropping charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It said, “After a months-long internal investigation into the allegations made against him, Manchester United announced on Monday that it had mutually agreed with the player that he would leave the club.”
“Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for,” the statement added.
‘I Know People Will Think the Worst’
Mr. Greenwood made his own statement in which he said, “I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.”“I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges,” he added.
But Mr. Greenwood continued: “However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.”
Mr. Greenwood joined the club as a seven-year-old, made his debut in 2018 and became the club’s youngest scorer in European football when he scored in September 2019.
His performances led many Manchester United fans to predict a big future for him but in recent weeks there has been strong resistance to him playing in the famous red shirt again.
Television presenter Rachel Riley, a Manchester United fan, said she would not be able to support the club any more if Mr. Greenwood was back in the team.
Charity: Footballers’ Conduct has ‘Huge Impact’
The charity said, “Football is loved by so many people worldwide, and players are often idolised by fans, so the way that alleged domestic abuse cases are treated in clubs has a huge impact on public understanding about what is accepted and tolerated in society.”Two other organisations, the Three Hijabis and the End Violence Against Women Coalition, released a joint statement in which they called on the football authorities to, “commit to a gender-based violence charter which addresses prevention, intervention and accountability.”
Former United and England player Gary Neville said the way the club had handled the situation had been “pretty horrible.”
He told Sky Sports: “It was clear from day one that he wouldn’t play for Manchester United again ... When you have significant situations, and difficult situations like this, it requires strong authoritative leadership. And that comes from the very top. Manchester United don’t have that.”
