A group of Man Utd fans plan to protest against Mason Greenwood’s reintegration into the first team before the club’s first home game.
According to The Athletic, protestors – who regularly attend matches and want to remain anonymous – are looking to vent their frustrations ahead of Monday’s game against Wolves at Old Trafford.
The 21 year old player was arrested in January 2022 and suspended on full pay by the Premier League giants as charges of alleged rape and assault were made against him.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February of this year that the charges were dropped after ‘key witnesses’ withdrew their involvement, leading to Man Utd issuing a brief statement which explained how they would conduct an ongoing internal investigation to decide his future.
The report states a banner has been prepared by the protestors in United colours with a message that reads: ‘Female Fans Demand No Greenwood Return – End Violence Against Women.’
One of the organisers explained the reason for the protest to The Athletic as they said: ‘It’s time for the club to stand up and make the right decision.
‘It’s time to say, “We have high standards at United about how we expect players to conduct themselves and, if you do not meet those standards, you need to be moved out.”
‘This is a tipping point for the club. Are they going to side with commercialism and trophies and money? Or are they going to take the side of match-going fans and the club being a social and community institution that we can be proud of, and proud to have as part of our identity?’
The protestors are planning to come together at the Holy Trinity statue outside Old Trafford ahead of Monday’s game and they are hoping to be joined by several individuals who are already taking part in another protest against the unpopular Glazer family’s ownership of the club, which is being organised by the 1958 pressure group.
They also set up a Twitter account and released a statement that outlined their opposition to Greenwood ever playing for the club again.
The statement read: ‘Today, we female fans of Manchester United are demanding that the club abide by their duty of care towards their female fans and employees and demonstrate a zero tolerance approach towards acts of violence against women by refusing to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad.
‘The situation is clear – taking Greenwood back legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse. It tells other players, and the men and boys that look up to them, that abusing women is acceptable, without consequence, and won’t affect you or derail your career.
‘It also tells us, as women, that we don’t matter. It tells female MUFC employees that their employer is happy to make them work alongside an abuser, and tells hundreds of thousands of female fans that supporting the team we love involves supporting men who abuse women like us.
‘It tells us that our safety doesn’t matter, our experiences don’t matter; that the 1 in 4 women who experience domestic abuse and/or sexual assault in the UK don’t matter. It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters.
‘The club has launched all sorts of initiatives in recent years to allegedly promote inclusivity and diversity at the match, but “All Red All Equal” means nothing if the rights of those who have perpetrated gender-based violence are more equal than those who have lived through it.
‘We know there are currently multi million pound PR firms spinning narratives to go along with his potential return. “Repentant father who has turned his life around and just wants to support his partner and child.” “Young genius who made a mistake but deserves a second chance.”‘
The statement continued: ‘Threatening your partner with sexual violence isn’t “a mistake”, it’s deliberate, targeted abuse. The lockdown parties and police warnings were apparently “a mistake”, getting dropped by England and sent home from camp for breaking the rules was also apparently “a mistake”.
‘The problem here isn’t a player who has “made a mistake”, it’s a player who has consistently demonstrated an attitude of extreme arrogance, entitlement and exceptionalism; and who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club.
‘Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone does so while in the position of power and privilege Greenwood is. If you want to play at the highest level at the biggest club in the world, your behaviour will be held up to the highest level of scrutiny, accountability and expectation.
‘The decision of senior management at MUFC regarding Greenwood’s return will tell us fans everything we need to know about their ability to run this club, and about whether they have any genuine willingness to listen to, engage with, and support fans on issues that matter to us.
‘Is this club for them just a vehicle for commercial success, trophies, sponsorships and revenue? Or do they genuinely share our vision of Manchester United as a great institution that exists as a place of belonging and community for those who care about its values and traditions?
‘We are calling on the club to do the right thing. For their fans, for their employees, for the millions of young boys and girls across the world who look up to our players as heroes and role models, and the millions of women whose lives have been blighted by violence and abuse.
‘To the decision makers at the club, remember; this goes beyond football. This decision is a reflection of you, your morals; of who you are as individuals, and as humans. Will you stand with abusers, or with the abused? History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well.’
If Greenwood remained with Man Utd, The Athletic claim that a phased reintegration would see him take part in rehabilitation, which would initially include counselling or therapy and may feature in a TV interview which would see him ‘challenged on the events that have taken him to this point’.
In the meantime, some reports suggest Erik ten Hag would be open to having Greenwood back, but the boss hasn’t publicly confirmed this.
Greenwood has been pictured taking part in some training with a private coach lately with United receiving data on his sessions and monitoring the 21-year-old.
Wayne Rooney recently said Greenwood leaving would benefit everybody and that the forward needs to get back to playing.
Domestic violence helplines
If you are in immediate danger always call the police, and always dial 999 if it is an emergency and press 55 if you can’t talk (only on mobile phones). They have a duty to protect and help you.
If you visit any of these websites, please read the ‘hide your visit’ / ‘cover your tracks’ / safety information – or click on ‘Exit Website’
Gov UK – Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
Controlling or coercive behaviour
The offence closes a gap in the law around patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour that occurs during a relationship between intimate partners, former partners who still live together or family members. This offence sends a clear message that this form of domestic abuse can constitute a serious offence particularly in light of the violation of trust it represents and will provide better protection to victims experiencing repeated or continuous abuse. It sets out the importance of recognising the harm caused by coercion or control, the cumulative impact on the victim and that a repeated pattern of abuse can be more injurious and harmful than a single incident of violence.
Martin Lewis: Financial abuse, joint accounts and managing money within relationships
Financial abuse is the hidden financial cousin of domestic abuse – it’s all about dangerous, unfair control using finances. It can be subtle or brutal. So be aware of it both for your own relationship, and for others – but this blog’s about more than that too…
Mankind
Helpline: 01823 334244
The Mankind Initiative supports male victims of domestic violence, though it helps all callers regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation. Call the helpline on 01823 334 244 at any time to receive up-to-date information on helpline availability or check out services at website. There is also a referral system for single men or men with children fleeing from domestic violence.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Emotional and practical support for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don’t suffer in silence.
Men’s Advice Line
Helpline: 0808 801 0327
Offers advice, information and listening support for men with experience of domestic abuse. Includes help for men in same-sex and heterosexual relationships.
Love Respect
Aimed at 16-25 year olds, Love Respect explores what is and isn’t a healthy relationship – from physical violence to coercive control, how to get help and what the law can do for you.
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