Mason Greenwood leaving Manchester United will be ‘relief’ for domestic violence victims, says charity

The departure of Mason Greenwood from Manchester United has been welcomed by domestic violence campaigners and fan groups who had threatened to boycott the club if he returned to active play.

The footballer was suspended last year when he was arrested and later charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour after allegations about his conduct surfaced online.

The criminal charges against him were dropped in February, with prosecutors citing “withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”, and it was reported last week that the club was preparing to reinstate him after a lengthy internal investigation.

But the club confirmed on Monday that Greenwood would be leaving the club by “mutual agreement” in a dramatic about-turn – though the terms of his exit were not immediately clear.

Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold said the club had concluded that based on available evidence “Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with,” but “it is my responsibility to minimise any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club.”

He added: “Although we have decided that Mason will seek to rebuild his career away from Manchester United, that does not signal the end of this matter.

“The club will continue to offer its support both to the alleged victim and Mason to help them rebuild and move forward positively with their lives.”

The player will also not return to the club’s training ground, officials said.

Domestic abuse survivor and campaigner David Challen, a Manchester United fan, said: “[Greenwood] deserves a chance for rehabilitation, but not on the world stage of football at Old Trafford – it’s to be done elsewhere. He’s not a role model.

“These people walk the planet, there’s definitely a career to be had, I don’t think it’s in the Premier League anymore.”

He said the club’s handling had been “woeful” and that attempts to defend Greenwood’s conduct were “gaslighting”, adding: “Club staff have spoken out, there’s been leaks, there’s been protests by female fans, and a conversation needs to be had – can clubs investigate themselves, can they mark their own homework? [There should be] an external body at the Premier League level to investigate these issues.”

A spokesperson for Women’s Aid said the decision “will be a relief for many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse” as it revealed it had “conversations with the club” ahead of the decision.

The charity said: “With many survivors never contacting the police to report abuse in the first place, and the majority of domestic and sexual abuse cases not resulting in a criminal conviction, it is vital that clubs – like all employers – have an approach that is wider than the criminal justice system, and which deals with the reality of the scale of the issue.

“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.”

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A spokesperson added: “Our approach at Women’s Aid remains the same – we want to work collaboratively with football clubs and organisations to increase understanding and awareness of domestic abuse, as part of our ongoing football campaign.”

Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return, a group that had protested Manchester United’s grounds over rumours the player could return, said: “MUFC leadership have finally done the right thing, for the wrong reasons: to save their own necks, to avoid the PR disaster, not out of care for any of us.”

They added: “We are relieved that those with lived experiences of abuse, both fans and employees of MUFC, will finally be able to support their team and attend work without being forced to relive their trauma. Survivors, we see you, we are with you.

“We hope MUFC and the whole football world will wake up to their responsibilities after this shameful incident. Female fans aren’t passive customers. We are real people with real experiences, and we will make hell in defence of the clubs we love, and in defence of each other.”

The Manchester United Supporters Trust also criticised the club’s handling of the case but said the right decision had been made.

A MUST statement read: “Since the deeply distressing initial allegations surfaced, this episode has been allowed to drag out for far too long as the club has carried out an investigative process.

“Moreover, the complete lack of consultation with fans even with respect to process added fuel to the fire. Whilst the speculation and discussion in the last couple of weeks has been profoundly unhelpful and reflected very poorly on the club, it is clear that they have in the end reached the right decision.

“We are relieved that this matter can now be put behind us and will be working with the club to ensure lessons have been learned from this very troubling episode.”

The statements from the club and Greenwood indicated he intends to continue playing football professionally, though it is unclear if an English club would be willing to risk likely controversy by signing him. He could be signed or loaned to play overseas, however, with Italy, Turkey and Saudia Arabia among rumoured destinations for the player.

Mason Greenwood said in a statement: “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.

“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.

“I am learning to understand my responsibilities to set a good example as a professional footballer, and I’m focused on the big responsibility of being a father, as well as a good partner.

“Today’s decision has been part of a collaborative process between Manchester United, my family and me. The best decision for us all, is for me to continue my football career away from Old Trafford, where my presence will not be a distraction for the club.”