MANCHESTER United have announced that Mason Greenwood will not return to the team as they have “mutually agreed” that he will leave.
Bosses at Old Trafford have now completed the internal investigation into the allegations of attempted rape and assault made against the 21-year-old striker.
A club spokesperson said: “Manchester United has concluded its internal investigation into the allegations made against Mason Greenwood.
“Our process commenced in February 2023, following all charges against Mason being dropped.
“Throughout, we have taken into account the wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible.
“This has required us to proceed with sensitivity and care to obtain evidence not in the public domain, including from those with direct knowledge of the case.”
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They added: “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.
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
“It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.”
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Greenwood has been suspended since January last year when he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault.
Charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive and controlling behaviour were brought against him in October but were dropped in February this year.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that “key witnesses” had withdrawn from the investigation and “new information” had come to light.
However, he remained sidelined by United while an internal probe was carried out.
The Sun exclusively revealed last week that club bosses were set to bring Greenwood back into the fold.
The reports prompted a significant backlash from fans in the run up to today’s decision.
Prominent fans including Countdown’s Rachel Riley urged the club not to allow Greenwood to return, with the TV star even saying she would pull her support if they did.
A spokesperson for Women’s Aid said: “This needs to involve addressing the attitudes that underpin domestic and sexual abuse, and working with players from a young age to make it clear that clubs stand against sexism and misogyny.
“This is an issue that reaches far wider than football, with misogynistic content widely available on social media, so it is important to recognise how widespread harmful attitudes are and address this.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
