DEVASTATING NEWS: Coming live from Old Trafford, Rio Ferdinand speak on behalf of Mason Greenwood as striker move to Marseille COLLAPSE after The mayor of Marseille publicly opposed Mason Greenwood’s expected move to the Ligue 1 side. He said ” I’m deeply sad for Mason Greenwood he’s being rejected even in his own country I plead on his behalf, I’m not supporting his actions but United fans should give him another chance he made a mistake I spoke with him he just sorry and wants play and enjoy football again. I implore on the whole of England let forgive and help revive his career he now has a family to take care of”. Marseille’s mayor opposes Mason Greenwood’s ‘unbearable’ move to the club and vows to tell them to ‘call off the major mistake’… insisting he doesn’t want his club ‘SHAMED by someone who hits his wife.
### Marseille Mayor Opposes Mason Greenwood’s Transfer to Ligue 1 Club
The mayor of Marseille has publicly voiced his opposition to the potential transfer of Mason Greenwood to the Ligue 1 side, stating he does not want the club “shamed by someone who hits his wife.” Greenwood, a Manchester United player, was arrested in January 2022 on charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive behavior but has not played for the club since then. Although the charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, and Manchester United completed their internal investigation, Greenwood’s future remains uncertain.
Greenwood spent the last season on loan at Getafe, where he impressed by scoring 10 goals and winning the club’s Player of the Season award. His performance caught the eye of Marseille, especially after the arrival of their new manager, Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton boss has expressed his willingness to “publicly defend” Greenwood if he joins the club, despite the controversy surrounding his potential move.
However, Benoit Payan, the left-wing French politician and mayor of Marseille, has strongly opposed Greenwood’s signing, condemning his alleged actions as “unspeakable and unacceptable.” Payan told RMC Sport, “Greenwood’s behavior is unspeakable, unacceptable. Hitting his wife… I saw images that deeply shocked me. Abusing his wife in this way is unbecoming of a man, and he cannot have his place on this team. The values of OM and Marseille are anything but that. It’s a shame. I will ask Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood. I don’t want my club to be covered with the shame of someone who hits his wife.”
Payan emphasized that Olympique de Marseille is more than just a club; it represents a spirit and values that do not align with the behavior Greenwood has been accused of. He stated, “It is unbearable. I cannot imagine for a second that Pablo Longoria would make this major mistake.”
Greenwood, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, acknowledged the public’s judgment in a statement upon leaving Manchester United last August. He said, “I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst. 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.”
Manchester United, after concluding their internal investigation, stated that their process considered the wishes, rights, and perspectives of the alleged victim and the club’s standards and values. They sought to gather as much information and context as possible, including evidence not in the public domain. The club concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Greenwood did not commit the offenses he was originally charged with. However, they acknowledged that he made mistakes and took responsibility for them. They mutually agreed that it would be best for him to continue his career away from Old Trafford.
Marseille has emerged as a leading contender for Greenwood’s signature, with interest from several European clubs. Reports suggest that Marseille has made an offer worth £27 million, including a substantial sell-on fee. Incoming head coach Roberto De Zerbi expressed interest in working with Greenwood, stating, “Greenwood isn’t recruited yet, so there isn’t much to say. He’s a champion, an international-level player. I don’t know what happened; I’m not concentrating on private lives. When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons.”
Despite De Zerbi’s willingness to support Greenwood, fans of Marseille have launched a public campaign, #GreenwoodNotWelcome, insisting that signing the player could cause “irreversible damage” to the club’s reputation. A statement on OM Forum highlighted the club’s values and expressed that Greenwood’s transfer would cross a red line for many supporters, irreparably damaging their passion for the club.
