All charges have been dropped against Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood was arrested on 30 January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault and was due to stand trial in November.
Today (2 February) the 21-year-old footballer saw charges against him of attempted rape, assault and coercive control dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Head of Public Protection, Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, confirmed the dropping of the charges in a statement released this afternoon.
Chief Superintendent Kerr said: "The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.
"Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail."
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Greenwood was arrested after a series of social media posts surfaced online shared by a woman accusing the footballer of assault.
An investigation was launched by GMP and the striker was suspended from Manchester United.
The club released a statement reading: "We are aware of images and allegations circulating on social media. We will not make any further comment until the facts have been established. Manchester United does not condone violence of any kind."
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Sportswear brand Nike, who sponsored Greenwood, also cut ties with the footballer.
In October, Greenwood was charged with three offences - attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - all relating to the same woman.
Chief Superintendent Kerr added that police want to 'use this opportunity to reiterate GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them'.
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She continued: "An ever-increasing number of officers are receiving specialist training and the force is more consistently utilising tools, available via the criminal justice system, to keep people safe and care for victims.
"If you feel you are or might be a victim, please don’t let this case put you off asking for help."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 802 9999 between 12pm–2.30pm and 7pm– 9.30pm every day. Alternatively, you can contact Victim Support free on 08 08 16 89 111 available 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas
Topics: Crime, Football, Manchester United, UK News, Sport
Poppy Bilderbeck