A group of female Manchester United fans have come together to protest the potential reintegration of Mason Greenwood.
The Old Trafford faithful are awaiting an update on the future of the outcast forward, who has not represented the club in a competitive match since January 2022.
His last appearance came against West Ham United at home in the 2022/2023 campaign. Days after the game, Greenwood was arrested following pictures and an audio tape released on social media that alleged a sexual attack on a woman. The 21-year-old was subsequently suspended by United and Nike confirmed that they had ended their sponsorship of the player.
He was later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with a trial date set for November of this year.
However, all charges were dropped in February 2023. Crown Prosecution Service stated that “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material” led to the case being unable to proceed.
Now, the Premier League giants have been mulling over his future at the club with their own internal investigation, which is set to conclude before their opening fixture of the campaign on Monday, August 14 against Wolverhampton Wanderers – and this is when fans intend to have their voices heard on the matter.
The group is currently women-led but they are hoping to garner the backing of everyone during their showing, as well as pressure group The 1958, who are protesting against the Glazer family at the same fixture.
Female fans speak out against Greenwood’s reintegration
Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return (@FFAGR2023 on Twitter) took to Old Trafford with their banner that reads: “Female Fans Demand No Greenwood Return. End Violence Against Women”.
One member told The Athletic: “One thing I’ve been really proud about is how united the match-going fanbase has been on this issue. There is potentially a bit of a divide with the online fanbase, who have been more supportive of Greenwood. But there seems to be genuine unity among the match-going fans. The nature of the audio means people have been really unified in being outraged and disgusted by it.
“As female fans, we have always been slightly marginalised. Sometimes your voice is ignored and you don’t get taken as seriously as others. On an issue like this, it feels like an attack on all of us. We have to be hopeful the club do the right thing because, if Greenwood did come back, it would be serious enough to make many fans re-evaluate their relationship with the club.”
The matchgoers also released a statement to voice their feelings to the club and outline their mission statement.
Our statement in full. pic.twitter.com/4oBjirfAEa
— Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return (@FFAGR2023) August 11, 2023
