Sofia Fedeczko
Mon, 14 August 2023
Female United fans protest the possible return of Mason Greenwood for the start of the 2023/24 season. Credit: Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return
Manchester United fans will be protesting Mason Greenwood’s possible return to the squad tonight as the team starts the 2023/24 season with a match against Wolverhampton at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old was arrested in January 2022 and charged in October the same year for one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges were eventually dropped in February 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service following the withdrawal of key witnesses and the emergence of new evidence.
The group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return posted a statement on Twitter demanding that the club “abide by their duty of care” to its female fans and staff and “zero tolerance approach to acts of violence against women by refusing to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad.”
The statement continues: “The situation is clear – taking Greenwood back legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse. It tells other players, and the men and boys that look up to them, that abusing women is acceptable, without consequence, and won’t affect you or derail your career.
“It also tells us, as women, that we don’t matter. It tells female MUFC employees that their employer is happy to make them work alongside an abuser, and tells hundreds of thousands of female fans that supporting the team we love involves supporting men who abuse women like us.”
Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return describe Greenwood as a player who “has consistently demonstrated an attitude of extreme arrogance, entitlement and exceptionalism; and who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club.”
The statement concludes: “To the decision makers at the club, remember; this goes beyond football. The decision is a reflection of you, your morals; of who you are as individuals, and as humans. Will you stand with abusers, or with the abused? History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well.”
It was previously announced that a decision on Mason Greenwood’s return would be made in advance of tonight’s game. However, the BBC reported on Friday 11 August that the announcement had been delayed while the club consults with their women’s team, which currently has three members playing in the national team at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The attacker last played for Manchester United in January 2022 but was suspended after his arrest. The suspension was lifted after the CPS dropped the case.
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