Most people know television presenter Rachel Riley as the co-host from Countdown. Many of our readers will know her as an avid Manchester United fan.
Riley insists she will no longer be able to support United if and when they bring back Mason Greenwood.
The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club for the past 18-months because he faced charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced six months ago that the case had been discontinued.
Greenwood has remained suspended by United while the club conducts an internal investigation. The announcement on the striker’s future is expected next week.
The Athletic revealed that chief executive Richard Arnold planned to release a video to club staff and supporters detailing the reasoning behind his decision to reintegrate Greenwood two weeks ago.
That plan was postponed.
With United opting to drip-feed information into the public domain – prior to Richard Arnold’s final call — fans are becoming frustrated by how the club has handled the situation.
Riley, a lifelong Red, insists she will no longer be able to call herself a fan once Greenwood officially returns.
“I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club,” Riley wrote via Twitter. “We’ve all seen and heard enough. Pretending this is OK would be a huge part of the problem
“It would be devastating for my club to contribute to a culture that brushes this under the carpet. I really hope they do the right thing.”
I’m with Em, I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club.
As an example, when it comes to VAWG, less than 1% of rapes reported to police lead to conviction.
We’ve all seen and heard enough.
Pretending this is ok would be a huge part of the problem. https://t.co/0tCPVooXdt
— Rachel Riley MBE 💙 (@RachelRileyRR) August 17, 2023
I have been to events in the past where Rachel helped raise money for a fellow Red after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. There’s no harm in famous Reds, or fans with large platforms, voicing their opinions on important matters.
There’s a feeling Riley won’t be alone.
Even if Erik ten Hag wants Greenwood back, there is a risk that even our own fans at Old Trafford could derail the connection between the team and the fans which he built over the past season. As a result, the mood could also affect the rest of the team and its performance.
Just say United fail to replicate our home form of last season. We then go to away games with their fans chanting about one of our players being a sex offender and we end up with a mediocre season because of a decision that should come down to United’s ethical standards internally.
It’s been the worst kept secret in football that Greenwood is coming back and it’s going to hurt so many of our fans, inevitably leading to outrage and toxicity.
I hope that good sense prevails.
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