Rachel Riley reveals she has DITCHED a Man United shirt given to her by Ryan Giggs on Countdown after he faced with domestic violence charges, as she vows to stop supporting club if Mason Greenwood returns
- Rachel Riley says she’ll stop supporting Man United if Mason Greenwood returns
- He is suspended after charges of attempted rape , assault and coercive control
- She has now revealed ditching a Ryan Giggs shirt given to her on Countdown
Countdown co-host Rachel Riley has revealed she no longer owns a Man United shirt gifted to her by Ryan Giggs.
It comes after the presenter, who is a well-known Red Devils fan, insisted she would stop supporting the club if Mason Greenwood was brought back in to the fold.
The 21-year-old has not played for the Premier League giants since his arrest in January 2022 for attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
Those charges were dropped in February, though he is still suspended by United pending the result of an internal investigation.
The club’s final decision is yet to be made public but Greenwood’s reintegration into the first team remains an option, which would be highly controversial given the circumstances of the case amid fan protests over the issue.
Rachel Riley has revealed she has ditched a Man United shirt given to her by Ryan Giggs
The former footballer was arrested on two counts of assault in 2020, which he denies. The CPS withdrew the charges last month.
Riley made it clear on Twitter she no longer owns the shirt given to her on Countdown’s 1000th show
Riley tweeted to her 684,000 followers saying: ‘I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club.’
Her response prompted some to question whether she still had the shirt given to her by Giggs, which she received as a gift from the former footballer on her 1,000th appearance on Countdown in 2013.
The 49-year-old was arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault against his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and her sister Emma in November 2020, which he denied.
Jurors failed to reach a verdict in the original trial last year, and the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the charges in July.
When asked on Twitter if she still had the shirt given to her by Giggs, Riley replied simply ‘no’.
On Greenwood, Manchester United’s women’s side have reportedly voiced their concerns about his returning to the club’s Carrington training ground.
Ahead of United’s men team’s season opener against Wolves, fans protested against his potential reintegration, labelling the club ‘spineless’ and urging them not to leave the decision up to the women’s team, opening the women’s stars up to vile abuse.
Riley insists she will stop supporting Man United if they bring back Mason Greenwood
United supporters protested about his potential return to the first-team squad on Monday
On Wednesday, United released a statement saying: ‘Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him.
‘This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.
‘Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity.
‘We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner.
‘The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.
‘Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation.
‘Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer. Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders.
Riley, who is a well-known United fan, felt she would be ‘unable’ to support her club if Greenwood returned
The forward, 21, has not played for the Premier League giants since his arrest in January 2022 for attempted rape, assault and coercive control
‘This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain.
‘We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process.’
The forward has been training alone and is still being paid his £75,000-a-week salary in full.
Greenwood was due to stand trial in November but prosecutors discontinued the case in February, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses.
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