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11th August 2023
02:49pm BST
A group of Manchester United fans are reportedly set to protest Mason Greenwood's potential return to the team.
In recent weeks momentum has seemingly been building in the 21-year-old favour, with reports suggesting that the team's main sponsor, Adidas had cleared the way for his return to the first-team squad. The sportswear giant later rubbished claims that it has been involved in secret talks, saying it plays "no role in any decisions made regarding any member of the team or staff at the club."
Greenwood was suspended by the Red Devils in January 2022 after being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the charges earlier this year.
A decision on the striker's future was imminent, but The Guardian reported Friday that Manchester United delayed their decision because they want to consult key stakeholders, along with their women’s team players who are still playing at the World Cup.
United had hoped to make public the decision before their first Premier League game at home to Wolves on Monday.
Regardless of that delay, a group of female United fans, who have branded themselves 'Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return' (FFAGR) have pledged to protest against Greenwood.
The group has demanded Manchester United take a "zero tolerance" approach with their decision on Greenwood's return and say if he returns, it sends a message to the club's female fans that they "don't matter".
"It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters. The problem here isn't a player who has 'made a mistake'," the statement read.
"It's a player 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."
FFAGR also insisted that the decision by senior management will show "everything" fans need to know about their ability to run the club and "about whether they have any genuine willingness to listen to, engage with, and support fans on issues that matter to us."
They added. "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. History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well."
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