Mason Greenwood ‘rejects chance to play for Jamaica despite Gareth Southgate ruling out picking him for England’ after rape and assault charges against the Man United striker were dropped
- Alleged rape and assault charges against Greenwood were dropped last month
- Greenwood will reportedly not by selected for England by Gareth Southgate
- The forward is claimed to have turned down the opportunity to play for Jamaica
Mason Greenwood will reportedly never be selected for England under manager Gareth Southgate, despite charges of rape and assault against him being dropped last month.
Greenwood, 21, was arrested in January 2022 and suspended on full pay by Manchester United a short time later after charges of alleged rape and assault were made against him.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service announced last month that the charges had been dropped after ‘key witnesses’ withdrew their involvement.
Greenwood released a statement after the charges were dropped, stating that he was ‘relieved that this matter is now over’.
His future at club and international level remains uncertain, with a report in The Sun claiming Greenwood will never by selected again for England by Southgate.
Mason Greenwood will reportedly not be selected for England by manager Gareth Southgate
Rape and assault charges against the 21-year-old were dropped last month by the CPS
The 21-year-old forward is still reported to be hopeful he can still resurrect his England career.
Greenwood has not played for England since being sent home after his debut against Iceland in a Nations League game in September 2020.
He and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were told to leave for breaking Covid quarantine guidelines to meet two women in the team hotel.
Greenwood would still be eligible to switch nationality to play Jamaica in September, with the forward qualifying for the nation on his mother’s side.
FIFA rules were changed in 2020 which allowed for players to switch nationality provided they had played no more than three competitive matches at senior level prior to them turning 21,
A player would also have to have not appeared in FIFA World Cup finals matches or continental finals.
Jamaica Football Federation secretary general Dennis Chung claimed last month that they would welcome Greenwood, should he decide to switch nationality.
Greenwood has not played for England since making his debut against Iceland back in 2020
‘I don’t think we will rule him out, but that is a decision that the coach will have to make. If the coach picks him then he [would] be welcomed by us,’ Chung told the Jamaica Observer.
‘He is an excellent player but all of that is up to the coach; and if the coach thinks that he should be picked, then it is up to the coach.
‘He is only 21 and so he has a very bright future ahead of him and I think he will add value to any team that he is on.’
Greenwood has reportedly turned down the chance to represent Jamaica.
His club future also remains in the balance, with United representatives having met with the forward as part of an ongoing internal investigation.
United launched the investigation after the charges were dropped last month.
Several options are on the table for the 21-year-old, including terminating his contract, but the possible reintroduction of Greenwood to the first team squad as part of a potential phased return to football is also something being considered, according to a report by The Athletic.
If he were to remain at the club, United would be expected to reportedly follow a gradual process that would take into account the views of fan groups, sponsors and the United women’s team at varying stages.
Greenwood’s Manchester United future is subject to an internal investigation by the club
Any final decision on him will be taken by co-owner Joel Glazer (L) and CEO Richard Arnold (R)
The club would likely encourage Greenwood to take part in rehabilitation, which would initially include counselling or therapy.
This could also include facing a TV interview and one which The Athletic reports as ‘in which he is challenged on the events that have taken him to this point’.
The report also stated any final decision after the club’s investigation will be taken by co-owner Joel Glazer and CEO Richard Arnold.
The Sun reported last week that Greenwood’s partner is pregnant and he is due to become a father, which comes after they also reported that he had met up with some former United team-mates.
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