Marseille supporters have revealed plans to donate to charities aiding abused women in protest over Mason Greenwood’s controversial move to the club.
Greenwood, 22, yesterday sealed his £30million deal after undergoing a medical and signing his contract, ending his protracted Manchester United saga.
The forward had not played for United since being arrested in January 2022.
He was then charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour nine months later. However, the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew.
Greenwood has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Marseille supporters will donate to charities aiding abused women in protest over Mason Greenwood ‘s controversial move to the club (pictured: Greenwood at his unveiling)
Greenwood sealed his £30million permanent move from Manchester United earlier this week
One fan account on X pledged to donate to charities after each of Greenwood’s goals
His move to Ligue 1 has drawn protests from fans with the mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, warning against the switch and branding Greenwood ‘a disgrace’.
Hundreds of supporters had gathered to greet Greenwood after he touched down in France on Wednesday evening but the fanbase is split – with both #GreenwoodNotWelcome and #GreenwoodWelcome trending on X.
Others have voiced their intention to donate to charity when he scores.
‘Some things are out of our control, but others are not,’ an account named OM Republic wrote. ‘I’m pledging to donate €5 to a charity helping abused women for every goal MG scores. Let’s turn this into something good and stand for OM values.
‘Everyone is welcome to join.’
On a graphic mocked up by the account, they revealed they would donate five euros (£4.21) after each of Greenwood’s goals and invited other supporters to join them in doing the same. They also selected three women’s abuse charities for the donations.
Greenwood had not played for United since being arrested in January 2022
He was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour nine months later. The charges were dropped in February 2023
Greenwood was greeted by hundreds of Marseille supporters after touching down in France
He has insisted he is now looking to the future with his partner Harriet Robson and their child
The logos of UK-based Women’s Aid, French organisation Solidaritie Femmes and Centrum Praw Kobiet, a non-profit firm in Poland, were displayed on the poster.
Greenwood had not played for United since January 2022 and spent last season on loan at LaLiga club Getafe, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists.
Speaking after his Marseille unveiling, he insisted he has put the past behind him and is looking to the future with his partner, Harriet Robson, and their daughter.
He told La Provence: ‘Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year, it is now behind us.
‘With my partner, we rebuilt ourselves together, as a couple, we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old, today we have a beautiful little girl who has just celebrated her first birthday.
‘I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.’
