MASON GREENWOOD ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Manchester United forward and England international, Mason Greenwood has been arrested by police on suspicion of rape and assault after being recently linked to disturbing allegations and images on social media.
The 20-year-old’s ex-girlfriend, Harriet Robson, posted images on her Instagram story revealing bruises and cuts on her body that she alleged were from altercations from the Manchester United player. She also posted a voice note that was alleged to have been recorded while the Manchester United player was assaulting her.
Manchester United declined any comment on Sunday morning and released a statement saying, “We are aware of images and allegations circulating on social media. We will not make any further comment until the facts have been established. Manchester United does not condone violence of any kind.”
The club released a further statement confirming the forward’s suspension on Sunday afternoon, saying: “Mason Greenwood will not return to training or play any matches until further notice.”
Greater Manchester Police have also confirmed that they are investigating the matter. They’ve said, “Greater Manchester Police is aware of images and videos circulating on social media. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
The disturbing posts were taken down two hours after they were put up.
Greater Manchester Police have since arrested the striker on suspicion of rape and assault.
Ms. Harriet Robson’s family have also been speaking to the press with Harriet’s father admitting that they only found out themselves on Sunday morning. “The first thing we knew about this was at 6 am this morning. It is dreadful. I’m just coming to terms with it all,” he told the MailOnline.
“As a father, you don’t want to know (that) things like that happening to your daughter. The police have been around and she has made a statement to them. She has told us her phone has been hacked. We told her to take it down, which she has done but it’s out there now so it is too late. She is devastated because she didn’t want it released.”
“We have known him since the under 21s. He has been part of our family for two or three years. Their relationship has not been good for the last few months. She is completely devastated by it all. They were very much in love and have been together for a while. The police are dealing with it now.”
Some of Mason Greenwood’s sponsors, including Nike, have also commented on the matter: “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
As news of the alleged incident broke, fans noticed that some of Mason Greenwood’s teammates began to unfollow the Manchester United star on social media, causing fans to speculate about his innocence. Goalkeeper David De Gea has unfollowed him on Instagram and Twitter with fellow strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani unfollowing him on Instagram.
The allegations against Greenwood have split the United faithful with a vast majority of fans expressing their anger and disappointment on social media.
A small group of fans has, however, insist that he ought to be punished if found guilty but his side of the story should be heard first.
This is not the first time Greenwood’s name has been attached to controversy. Greenwood and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden were dismissed from the England squad in 2020 after they tried to sneak four women inside the team’s hotel at the height of the COVID pandemic. The two youngsters broke strict COVID guidelines as they celebrated their Three Lions debuts in Reykjavik against Iceland. Mason Greenwood withdrew from England’s provisional squad for EURO 2020 in June last year in order to recover fully from an underlying injury.
In September of 2020, a video surfaced on the internet of Mason Greenwood inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon about a week before making his England debut in June in the company of a female friend. The England international was admonished by fans and media and labeled a bad role model to kids looking up to him. He has since apologized for his actions.
The recent allegations however are significantly more troubling, and Mason Greenwood will likely have a tough time clearing his name. Whether we see him playing for Manchester United or England again, or even professional football in the future remains to be seen. The Manchester United academy graduate made his debut for Manchester United in 2019 and has since made 129 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals.
Manchester United play Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, February the 4th.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero