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Manchester United Football Club have reportedly decided to cut ties with forward Mason Greenwood following a sexual assault case involving his partner.
That’s according to a report from British tabloid The Sun on Saturday morning.
Greenwood’s case never actually made it to trial after key witnesses refused to testify. But pictures shared by his partner showed her with a bloody lip and bruises she claims were caused by the Manchester United player. A further audio recording appears to show Greenwood forcing himself on his partner despite her telling him multiple times to stop.
Following the case’s dismissal, many expected the club to cut ties with the 21-year-old. But it hads yet to do so and reportedly consulted its women’s team on the matter.
That alone would seem to give them an answer.
Though in recent days reports began to circulate that he would return to the club. Manchester United even released a statement about their investigation.
“Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity,” the statement reads. “We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner. The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.”
The backlash was immense. So much so that now it appears the club is reversing course and will part ways with Greenwood.
“United were ready to announce on Tuesday that he was returning to the fold,” Custis wrote. “But since that news leaked there has been a backlash on social media which has rocked the club hierarchy – who now believe there can be no way back.”
It seems that either way, a decision is coming soon.