Controversial new signing Mason Greenwood was officially presented as an Olympique Marseille player in an uncomfortable press conference on Friday.
The 22-year-old signed for the Ligue 1 side from Manchester United on Thursday, in a move worth 31.6 million euros (£26.6 million) that brought an end to his troubled spell at the Premier League club where he was once considered one of its most exciting prospects.
His promising career was brought to a sudden halt when he was arrested in 2022 and later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. The case was dropped last year.
But Greenwood — who had been suspended by United — was loaned to Getafe last season after fans of the 20-time English champions protested his possible return to the club.
There was also resistance to his move to Marseille, some fans launched a ‘#GreenwoodNotWelcome’ campaign, while the city’s mayor voiced his concern.
“I do not want my club to be covered in shame,” Benoit Payan told RMC radio station. “It is not acceptable.”
At the Englishman’s introductory press conference, he was asked what he would say to those who did not want him to join the club, due to his past.
Greenwood refused to be drawn on the topic, and said he wanted to focus on his future.
He said: “I understand your question and I don’t really want to get into any conversations or any discussions about that.
“I’d only like to look forward and to be a part of Marseille and just to move forward with myself, my family, my daughter, my partner, and the whole club, and just to focus on the football and focus on the off-field, work with my family.”
Club president Pablo Longoria shared his view on those questioning the signing.
“I want to tell everyone that I am the first to understand that the arrival of Mason Greenwood and his transfer raises a lot of questions'”, said the Spaniard.
“I respect all different opinions. I respect everyone’s opinion but I am not here to respond to controversies.”
Greenwood’s first league appearance at the Stade Velodrome will be for Marseille’s second game of the campaign on 25th August, when the nine-time Ligue 1 champions take on Reims.
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0:00 Intro
0:32 Asked what he says to Marseille supporters who did not want him to come given his past?
1:02 Asked what he has done in his personal life to qualify for this second chance?
1:35 About how head coach Roberto De Zerbi persuaded him to come and play for Marseille?
1:54 Mason Greenwood posing for photo opportunity with Marseille shirt
2:28 Outro | Please like the video and subscribe!