Mason Greenwood’s arrival at Olympique de Marseille from Manchester United yesterday has caused huge controversy.
The 22 year old was sold by United as it became politically and ethically impossible to retain him after his arrest by Greater Manchester Police for attempted rape and assault in 2022.
However, although the charges against him were dropped and he is now in a settled relationship with the woman in question, and they have had a baby together, Marseille fans are up in arms about the transfer.
Before the transfer was completed, the mayor of Marseille Benoit Payan called on the club to terminate their interest, but the appeal fell on deaf ears as Greenwood completed his €26 million + €5 million move.
The Daily Mail reports that this has sparked outrage in the city.
“Marseille supporters launched a #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign earlier in July and while some welcomed him to the airport with cheers on Wednesday night, others have now protested in the fiercest terms on social media,” the outlet reports.
Words such as “ashamed” and “disgusted” featured strongly.
“One fan branded it the ‘most immoral moment’ in the club’s history,” The Mail notes, while describing major women’s rights objections from large sections of the fanbase.
Greenwood himself addressed the issue in an interview with La Provence following the signing.
“Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question,” he said.
“I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year, it is now behind us.
“With my partner, we rebuilt ourselves together, as a couple, we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old, today we have a beautiful little girl who has just celebrated her first birthday.
“I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.”
Greenwood also thanked his loan club last season, Getafe, for helping him to relaunch his career and said “I am very happy to be a player of Olympique de Marseille… I have very good feelings about starting this great adventure.
“I hope that we will have the opportunity to flourish here, in Marseille, with my family. I really appreciated the welcome I received, that so many people were there to welcome me in this way… It touched me.”
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