LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Rachel Riley, a prominent UK presenter, has taken a strong stance against Manchester United, accusing the club of resorting to “gaslighting” tactics and indirectly supporting abuse through their approach to parting ways with Mason Greenwood.
The decision to release Greenwood was made public on 21 August after a six-month internal investigation into his conduct.
This step followed the withdrawal of charges against him, which encompassed allegations of attempted rape and assault.
The main witness, his girlfriend and the mother of his child, Harriet Robson, dropped the charges in February.
In response to Manchester United’s statement detailing their decision-making process, the club contended that Greenwood “did not commit the offenses in respect of which he was originally charged.”
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The statement also maintained that the online material available did not offer a complete perspective on the matter.
Richard Arnold, the Chief Executive, acknowledged the challenges in accessing specific evidence. Nevertheless, the evidence they were able to gather led them to conclude that Greenwood was not guilty of the alleged actions.
Arnold acknowledged that various outcomes, including Greenwood’s reintegration, were considered, and his perspective evolved as the process unfolded.
Greenwood issued a statement in which he admitted his mistakes and accepted responsibility, while maintaining his innocence in relation to the accusations.
However, Rachel Riley, a devoted Manchester United supporter, branded the club’s statements as “gaslighting,” a term used to describe manipulative tactics that cause individuals to doubt their own reality.
She also accused the club of implicitly endorsing abuse on social media, asserting that the club’s statement could embolden abusers and discourage victims from reporting such behavior.
Riley expressed her disappointment and disillusionment with Manchester United, emphasizing that the crux of the matter was not about criminal guilt but rather about Greenwood’s suitability to represent the club and serve as a role model to fans.
Riley’s criticism extended to her appearance on the podcast “The News Agents,” where she voiced her disapproval of the discrepancy between Greenwood’s claims of exoneration and the club’s insistence on new evidence.
She conveyed her sense of shame regarding the club’s stance and its potential to perpetuate online abuse.
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Sharing her sentiments on social media, Rachel Riley conveyed her heartfelt disappointment as a long-standing fan and supporter of Manchester United.
She lamented the club’s handling of the situation and underscored her sense of disillusionment with an institution she has deeply cherished.
Mason Greenwood, a player on the English national team, faced allegations stemming from a voice note posted online in which he appeared to threaten his partner.
He was subsequently charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault causing actual bodily harm.
Charges were dropped in February 2023 due to key witnesses withdrawing and new evidence emerging, leading to the conclusion that a conviction was no longer feasible.