Neville apologises for ‘clumsy like’ on tweet calling Man United’s Greenwood an ‘innocent man’

Gary Neville has issued a statement insisting he ‘obviously condemns’ violence against women – after being criticised for liking a tweet describing Mason Greenwood as an ‘innocent man’.

Charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Manchester United forward Greenwood were dropped on Thursday, a year after he was arrested. 

And United icon Neville was criticised online for liking a tweet from former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England Nazir Afzal declaring Greenwood’s innocence – something he admitted was ‘clumsy’.

The Sky Sports pundit later tweeted: ‘I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. (the former director of public prosecutions).

‘This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.’

Charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the Man United forward were dropped on Thursday

The tweets from Afzal read: ‘Mason Greenwood has had all charges against him dropped by the Prosecutors. What’s changed you may ask? It appears that (some) witnesses will no longer support a prosecution & new evidence came to light It happens He is an innocent man, that’s all we need to know.

‘You are innocent till PROVEN guilty. We don’t have trial by media, We don’t have evidence that any witnesses were lying, We don’t do ‘victim or complainant blaming’. Prosecutors have to be sure there is a realistic prospect of conviction by a jury on the evidence they have. They don’t.’

Neville has since un-liked those tweets. It is also believed he retweeted one of the tweets but has also since undone that action.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: ‘We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review. In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. 

‘In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case. We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.’

To which United responded: ”Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.’

Greenwood himself said in a statement: ‘I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.’

There are now questions over whether Greenwood will play for the club again. 

Neville had liked two tweets from Nazir Afzal, one calling Greenwood an ‘innocent man’

He remains on United’s squad list and, in a possible indication he could resume his football career, is still present on the first-team squad page on United’s official website. 

Greenwood was included among Under 21 players on United’s official Premier League squad list at the beginning of the season despite being suspended by the club.

His biography on the club website makes no mention of the charges against him with the last update mentioning a new contract until 2025 he signed in 2021 and his passing of 100 appearances for the club.  

The player, who has been capped once for the Three Lions, was first held in January over allegations relating to a young woman, after images and videos were posted online. 

He was later suspended from United on full pay and removed from the FIFA 22 game.  

Greenwood last featured for the Red Devils on January 22, 2022, in a 1-0 win over West Ham. He has been suspended by the club since that point.

Greenwood’s profile remains on United’s official website despite the club suspending him

The forward is listed alongside other United players on the first-team squad page 

Greenwood was listed in the Under 21 (Contract and Scholars) section of United’s squad list for the Premier League at the beginning of the season