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Rachel Riley has accused Manchester United of \u201cgaslighting\u201d and \u201cgreen lighting\u201d abuse for their handling of the decision to part company with Mason Greenwood.<\/p>\n
Greenwood\u2019s\u00a0exit was confirmed\u00a0on Monday after a six-month internal investigation into his conduct.<\/p>\n
It came after charges against the player, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February.<\/p>\n
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\u201cRight decision, horrendous statement,\u201d television presenter Riley wrote.<\/p>\n
In explaining the lengthy process behind their decision, a Manchester United statement claimed Greenwood \u201cdid not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged\u201d, adding: \u201cBased on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture.\u201d<\/p>\n
An open letter from chief executive Richard Arnold also said: \u201cWhile we were unable to access certain evidence for reasons we respect, the evidence we did collate led us to conclude that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with\u201d.<\/p>\n
And Greenwood issued a statement saying he accepted he had \u201cmade mistakes\u201d and took his \u201cshare of responsibility\u201d, but added: \u201cI did not do the things I was accused of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arnold said that Greenwood\u2019s potential reintegration was \u201cone of the outcomes we considered and planned for\u201d but that \u201cseveral outcomes have been contemplated and planned for\u201d and his view \u201cevolved\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, United fan Riley claimed the club\u2019s statements were\u00a0\u201cgaslighting\u201d\u00a0\u2013 a term used to describe a form of manipulation where a person is given false information that leads them to question the truth.<\/p>\n
She also accused the club of \u201cgreen lighting\u201d abuse on social media, saying: \u201cThis overreaching statement will put wind in the sails of abusers and send a message to victims it\u2019s more trouble than it\u2019s worth to report alleged abuse. It\u2019s so disappointing to see my club contribute to the culture that upholds this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question before them [United] was not whether Mason Greenwood may be found guilty in a criminal, or even civil court, it was whether he\u2019s fit to wear the United badge, to be a role model to kids who look up to footballers as heroes, and have his name proudly displayed on shirts sold in the club shop,\u201d Riley wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.<\/p>\n
Riley had previously said she would stop supporting United if forward Greenwood stayed at the club.<\/p>\n
She also told podcast The News Agents: \u201cI think it\u2019s gaslighting for people to have two statements saying, Mason Greenwood himself saying he\u2019s been cleared of all charges \u2013 which is not the case, the claims were dropped because the key witness dropped out \u2013 and they [United] claim new evidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never been more ashamed of the club. I think it\u2019s just a disgrace. And they had another opportunity to make it right, make a good statement and they have just greenlighted the abuse that\u2019s been going on on social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
Writing on X on Tuesday, the Countdown co-presenter said: \u201cI\u2019ve been a red since before I was born, I\u2019ve passed it on to my baby girls and some of the all-time best times of my life have been working with and cheering on Man United, so I write with such a heavy heart \u2013 as a club we\u2019ve handled this appallingly.\u201d<\/p>\n
BBC Sport has approached Manchester United for comment.<\/p>\n
\u2018Arnold should consider position\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n England international Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material published online.<\/p>\n He was later charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.<\/p>\n After the charges were dropped in February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service said key witnesses had withdrawn and new material had come to light, meaning there was \u201cno longer a realistic prospect of conviction\u201d.<\/p>\n United then started their own investigation.<\/p>\n On Monday the club issued three statements: from the club, Greenwood and an open letter from Arnold to fans. They came after a number of delays amid fierce debate about Greenwood\u2019s potential reintegration at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n The club said they wanted to consult with their women\u2019s team, some of whom were part of England\u2019s World Cup squad playing in Australia, before announcing a decision about Greenwood\u2019s future.<\/p>\n Arnold said the club had \u201climited powers of investigation\u201d and \u201cwere reliant on third-party cooperation\u201d as they \u201csought to collate as much evidence as possible to establish facts and context\u201d.<\/p>\n He said the extra evidence included the alleged victim requesting the police to drop their investigation in April 2022, and the club receiving alternative explanations for the material that was posted online.<\/p>\n Former United player Gary Neville said United\u2019s handling of the Greenwood investigation had been\u00a0\u201cpretty horrible\u201d, lacked strong leadership and should have been dealt with independently.<\/p>\n Riley told\u00a0The News Agents podcast\u00a0that Arnold should consider his position.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen first hand how little is known, even amongst professionals who are supposed to be dealing with this \u2013 I include the police, I include social services,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they don\u2019t know the intricacies, I don\u2019t know how a CEO at Manchester United who has multimillion pounds at stake is in any position to make a judgement on what has happened, especially having not consulted abuse charities.\u201d<\/p>\n In her social media post, Riley said the situation needed \u201ctrained, qualified, experienced experts\u201d and it \u201cgoes far beyond the scope of what United were tasked with\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is absolutely right a thorough investigation should take place. Yet experts could have used their knowledge to help United navigate the process so we could trust the outcome. And an external party with no vested interests would have been far more credible,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n