MASON GREENWOOD is set to turn his back on England to play for Jamaica under new manager Steve McClaren.
SunSport has learned that the FA have been approached by the Jamaican Football Federation with a formal request to transfer Greenwood’s international registration, and the process is already underway.
Greenwood has been in international exile for almost four years.
He was sent home from a UEFA Nations League trip in September 2020 by Gareth Southgate for breaking Covid quarantine restrictions by inviting women into the team hotel.
The former Manchester United striker had made his England debut in a Nations League game in Iceland at the age of 18 two days earlier, but has not featured since.
Greenwood was suspended by United in January 2022 after being charged with attempted rape and assault, which he denied.
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The criminal charges were dropped 12 months later.
Following an investigation by United he spent last season on loan at Getafe before joining Marseille for £30million this summer.
Greenwood was never formally banned by the FA, although he was not considered for selection by Southgate.
As well as the ethical issues the 22-year-old was not an option as he did not train or play at United for almost 18 months.
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Jamaican national team
World ranking: 59
World Cup final appearances: 1998 – Eliminated in the group stage after losses to Croatia and Argentina, above, and a win over Japan.
Copa America appearances: 2015, 2016 and 2024 (all group stage eliminations)
Most caps: Ian Goodison (128)
Top scorer: Luton Shelton (35)
Famous players include: Wes Morgan, Leon Bailey, Ricardo Gardner, Frank Sinclair, Robbie Earl, Luton Shelton, Ian Goodison, Onandi Lowe, Theodore Whitmore, Linval Dixon.
After he began to perform well for Getafe in La Liga last season Southgate said that selecting him would be a distraction ahead of the European Championship.
Jamaica first tried to get Greenwood to switch his international allegiance after the criminal charges were dropped last February, which he initially declined as he wanted to revive his career with England.
McClaren’s appointment as manager of the Reggae Boyz earlier this month is understood to have led to a renewed approach to Greenwood, which appears to have been successful.
The former England boss has played a pivotal role in persuading him, as he knows Greenwood from his time on Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag also wanted to give Greenwood a second chance at United, but was overruled by club executives last summer who feared a backlash given the allegations made against him.
The FA are understood to have handed over the paperwork to the Jamaican Football Federation, who will now submit a request for a change of international registration to FIFA for approval.
Greenwood is eligible to play for Jamaica though his father, Andrew.
FIFA rules allow him to make the switch despite having played a competitive game for England.
The regulations permit national team changes if a player has played in no more than three competitive senior games before the age of 21.
Mason has made sensational start at Marseille, scoring two goals, contributing two assists and winning a penalty on his debut in 5-1 win over Brest last weekend.
Switching to Jamaica will give him the chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
McClaren’s side have CONCACAF Nations League games against Cuba and Honduras next month, but the change may not be made in time for Greenwood to play.
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Jamaica are ranked 59th in the world and will fancy their chances of qualifying from a group that includes Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and Dominica.
The FA declined to comment.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
