A swirl of news continues online about Mason Greenwood‘s inclusion on Jamaica‘s Copa America roster. But we’re here to set the facts straight: while Green could represent Jamaica in the future, it won’t be for this summer’s tournament.
The young forward, who has one cap with England, brushed up against the law in a 2022 rape and sexual incident against his then-girlfriend, Harriet Robson. Despite sharing a series of images and audio online detailing the abuse, Robson refused to testify and dropped the charges a year later before the two recently reunited as husband and wife.
After a year off the pitch, which also saw sponsors Nike, FIFA 22, and England dropping him from the squad, the former Manchester United standout went on loan to La Liga’s Getafe. The 22-year-old attacker won Getafe’s Player of the Season after scoring ten goals and assisting 6 in 36 matches.
The Red Devils are interested in giving Greenwood a second chance, especially given their vulnerabilities in the right-wing position—Jadon Sancho and Facundo Pellistri are out on loan. At the same time, Antony, caught up in his own domestic abuse legal troubles, underperforms.
Manchester Unit’s new minority, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, distills the Greenwood situation: “The process will be: understand the facts not the hype. Then try and come to fair decision on the basis of values, which is basically is he a good guy or not? Could he play sincerely for Manchester United well, would we be comfortable with it and would the fans be comfortable with it?”
Given that his coaching stint ends after the Euros, Gareth Southgate won’t be the England boss to invite Greenwood back to the Three Lions squad. Given Greenwood’s contentious personal history, any future England coach will take criticism for giving the player a second chance. So it’s up to Jamaica, where Greenwood qualifies through his dad, to lend Greenwood a hand at international football.
So far, there is no indication that Greenwood has tried to request an appeal to FIFA, so he certainly won’t be on Reggae Boyz for Copa America. But for the next World Cup? Yes, he’ll likely be suiting up in the green, black, and yellow kit.
Photo: instagram/masongreenwood
