Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood ‘no longer faces criminal proceedings’ for rape and assault charges

Mason Greenwood was arrested in 2022 for sexual assault allegations. (Photo by Paul Currie/PA Images via Getty Images)

Warning: This post contains descriptions of abuse and sexual assault.

Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood won’t face charges of rape and assault after the Greater Manchester Police announced criminal proceedings were discontinued Thursday.

“Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man, who had been arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, no longer faces criminal proceedings in relation to this,” Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said in a statement. “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.”

Greenwood was arrested a year ago after graphic and disturbing images were posted on social media which showed Greenwood allegedly sexually assaulting his girlfriend. Manchester United suspended Greenwood indefinitely and Nike suspended its partnership with Greenwood soon after the allegations came to light.

Greenwood was later charged on Oct. 2022, with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behavior and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The charges and case were dropped Thursday because of “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction,” according to a Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson.

The club has not released a statement following this news, nor have Greenwood or his representatives.

This story will be updated.