Manchester United and England football Mason Greenwood was on Wednesday released on bail ‘pending further investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police. The 20-year-old was first arrested on Sunday after Greater Manchester Police were made aware of “online social media images and videos posted by a 18-year-old woman reporting incidents of physical violence”. Yesterday he was re-arrested while in custody on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill his alleged victim.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman has been released on bail pending further investigation’.
Detectives were given additional time on Monday to question the player, whom they have not formally named as the suspect.
Within hours of the allegations appearing on Sunday, Greenwood, regarded as one of the rising stars of English football, was suspended from playing or training with United until further notice. The club have removed all Greenwood merchandise from their website, with his name absent from a drop-down list of players’ names for replica shirts.
A number of sponsors have reacted by distancing themselves from Greenwood.
Sportswear giant Nike said it had suspended its deal with the player and video game company Electronic Arts said he had been removed from offline modes in FIFA 22.
United shirt sponsor TeamViewer said it was closely monitoring developments.
Chocolate-maker Cadbury, an official partner of United, said it would not feature Greenwood in any marketing or products it created.
“Cadbury does not condone violence in any form,” it said in a statement. “Our partnership is with the Club itself and not the individual players.
“However, while these allegations are being investigated, any marketing or products we create with Manchester United will not feature this player. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Greenwood, who made his United debut in 2019 after coming through the youth ranks, has played 129 times for the club, scoring 35 goals.
He signed a new deal in February 2021, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2025.
Greenwood made his England debut against Iceland in September 2020 but he and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden were sent home after a breach of the team’s coronavirus guidelines.
He has yet to win another cap for the Three Lions.
(With AFP Inputs)
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