Mason Greenwood shuts down questions as Marseille put ban on reporters at unveiling

Mason Greenwood refused to answer questions about his past as the former Manchester United forward was unveiled by his new club Marseille today (Friday). Greenwood’s signing was officially announced at a press conference held by the French outfit, but it was not without controversy after Marseille chose to ban reporters from grilling him about the past allegations of attempted rape and assault against him.

The 22-year-old completed his £26.2million transfer to the Ligue 1 club earlier in the week, bringing an end to his Old Trafford career. Greenwood spent the 2023-24 season on loan with La Liga club Getafe where he scored 10 goals in 36 appearances, but it quickly became clear he would not be returning to Spain.

United decided against bringing Greenwood back into their first-team squad this summer following a meeting with INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is running the club’s football operations.

Marseille fought off competition from Juventus and Lazio to clinch his signature, although there has been a mixed reaction to Greenwood’s arrival in France.

In February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against the footballer for attempted rape, assault, and coercive control, citing “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”.

When asked questions about his controversial past, Greenwood refused to entertain any discussion as he focused on the future with his new team.

“I am aware of all this, of course, but I do not want to enter into any controversy,” Greenwood said, speaking during the press conference. “I already expressed my feelings last year [in a press release from August 2023]. Today, all of this is now behind us.”

In that press release, he said: “I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.

“However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.”

According to The Athletic, Marseille’s press officer issued a ban on reporters from asking any further questions on the topic. Instead, Greenwood said he and his partner, who welcomed a baby girl last year, “can’t wait to start this adventure in Marseille”.

He also cited Roberto de Zerbi’s role in making the transfer happen, with the former Brighton boss taking charge in early July following his 20-month stint in the Premier League.

The one-time England international enjoyed a warm reception from the club’s fans following his arrival in France on Wednesday, as he prepares to embark on a new chapter in his career.

However, Marseille president Pablo Longoria admitted he understood how Greenwood’s signing would cause some unrest, before pledging his support to the youngster to move on from his past.

“I respect everyone’s opinion. But I am not here to get into controversy. We are talking about the past. It is a complex and old situation,” Longoria said. “It is time to talk about the future. As president I will support Mason to help him achieve the club’s objectives.

“I will help him as a player and as a man. He has all the values that we want to develop in the club like all his team-mates who are here and those who will arrive.”