Manchester United have issued a statement on their position regarding Mason Greenwood, vowing to conduct an internal assessment of the situation before making a decision on his future.
Greenwood last played for United in January 2022 due to his subsequent arrest and charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault against the same woman.
The 21-year-old has been suspended by United throughout that time and the case was set to go to trial in November 2023. But on Wednesday, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that all charges against Greenwood have now been dropped owing to the withdrawal of ‘key witnesses’ and the emergence of ‘new material’ that meant securing a conviction was no longer realistic.
Greenwood is under contract at United until 2025, but a statement from his club explained: “Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
“The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
Early reports indicate Greenwood will not resume training while that internal process is ongoing.
Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said: "Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man, who had been arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, no longer faces criminal proceedings in relation to this.
“The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.
"Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail.
“I would, however, like to use this opportunity to reiterate GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them. An ever increasing number of officers are receiving specialist training and the force is more consistently utilising tools, available via the criminal justice system, to keep people safe and care for victims."
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson added: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
“In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
“We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
Source : 90min